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AUTOBIOGRAFHY  OP  ASA  BIGGS 


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BULLETIN  No.  19 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY 


OF 


ASA  BIGGS 


INCLUDING 


A  Journal  of  a  Trip  from  North  Carolina 
to  New  York  in  1832 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY 


OF 


ASA  BIGGS 


Including  a  Journal  of  a  Trip  from  North  Carolina 
to  New  York  in  1832 


Edited  by 
R.  D.  W.  CONNOR 


RALEIGH 

Edwards  &  Brotjghton  Printing  Co. 

State  Printers  and  Binders 

1915 


The  North  Carolina  Historical  Commission 


J.  Bryan  Grimes,  Chairman,  Raleigh. 
W.  J.  Peele,  Raleigh.  M.  C.  S.  Noble,  Chapel  Hill. 

Thomas  M.  Pittman,  Henderson.    D.  H.  Hill,  Raleigh. 


R.  D.  W.  Connor,  Secretary,  Raleigh. 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  ASA  BIGGS 


Dalkeith,  "Warren  County,  North  Carolina,1  March  1865. 

For  my  children. 

I,  Asa  Biggs,  was  born  on  4th  day  of  February  1811,  so  that  now  I 
am  in  the  fifty  fifth  year  of  my  age;  and  although  I  have  passed 
through  many  vicissitudes  yet  upon  a  general  review  of  my  history  I 
have  abundant  cause  of  gratitude  and  thankfulness  to  Almighty  Grod 
for  His  supporting  and  directing  care  and  for  the  eminent  success  with 
which  I  have  been  able  to  surmount  difficulties  and  to  attain  among  my 
fellow  men  my  present  distinguished  position.  I  have  concluded,  my 
dear  children,  if  time  and  opportunity  are  afforded  me,  to  note  for  your 
instruction  and  information  some  of  the  incidents  of  my  life,  with  the 
hope  that  this  legacy  of  affection  may  prove  useful  and  entertaining  to 
you,  in  the  journey  of  life  on  which  you  have  entered,  and  may  stimu- 
late you  to  a  course  of  conduct  in  which,  on  the  termination  of  your 
journey  you  may  have  as  much  cause  to  felicitate  yourselves  as  your 
affectionate  father.  I  shall  not  write  with  a  view  of  critical  composi- 
tion, but  to  detail  facts,  with  such  lessons  of  experience  as  may  suggest 
themselves  as  I  pass  along.  In  February  1862  we  were  driven  from 
our  dear  home  at  Williamston,  (where  you  were  all  born)  by  the  ap- 
proach of  the  Yankee  invaders  up  Albemarle  Sound,  after  the  fall  of 
Roanoke  Island.2  About  six  weeks  we  lived  at  a  small  Cottage  about  2 
miles  south  of  Tarboro'  and  from  thence  we  removed  to  a  dwelling,  3 
miles  west  of  Rocky  Mount,  where  we  continued  to  reside  until  I  pur- 
chased this  place  in  September  1863,  and  here  we  were  all  located  in 
December  1863.  Since  the  organization  of  the  Government  of  the  Con- 
federate States  of  America  I  have  been  Judge  of  the  Confederate  States 
for  the  District  of  North  Carolina.  I  selected  this  place  as  secure  from 
Yankee  raids  and  invasion,  and  although  we  have  been  excluded  from 
society  and  the  social  intercourse  to  which  we  had  been  accustomed, 
and  find  it  difficult  with  my  limited  means  to  obtain  sufficient  "food  and 
raiment,"  yet  so  far  we  have  not  suffered,  and  the  Lord  providing  for 
our  wants  we  continue  to  this  day,  and  I  have  confidence  that  He  will 
still  provide. 

In  the  handwriting  of  Asa  Biggs.  The  original  is  in  the  possession  of  Judge  Biggs' 
daughter,    Mrs.   Anna   Van   Cleve,    of   Princeton,    N.    J. 

2Roanoke  Island  was  captured  by  an  expedition  under  Gen.  Ambrose  E.  Burnside,  Feb- 
ruary  7,    1862. 


0^ 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 


YOUTH  AND  EDUCATION 


And  now  to  recur  to  early  scenes  and  to  the  dawn  of  life.  My  father, 
Joseph  Biggs,  was  a  small  merchant  in  Williarnston  when  I  came  into 
this  world,  and  was  a  Baptist  Minister.  My  mother  Chloe  Biggs  was 
his  third  wife.  She  was  the  daughter  of  William  Daniel  who  resided 
on  Smithwicks  Creek.  My  father,  by  his  two  first  wives,  had  several 
children,  nearly  all  of  whom  had  left  him  at  my  earliest  recollection, 
and  the  children  by  my  mother,  who  reached  maturity,  were  1  Joseph 
D.,  2.  Asa,  3  William,  4  Kader,  5  Louisa  F.  So  far  as  at  present  ad- 
vised all  are  now  living.  Our  brother  William,  last  heard  from  in 
1862  had  been  driven  from  his  home  about  6  miles  from  Yicksburg  by 
the  Yankee  invaders  there :  The  others  are  all  now  residing  at  Hil- 
liardston,  being  also  refugees  from  their  former  homes  and  hearth 
stones,  by  the  cruelty  of  the  public  enemy.  My  father  died  in  the  year 
1844  then  in  his  78th  year.  My  mother  survived  him  until  the  year 
1845,  when  she  too  fell  asleep  in  her  70th  year,  in  prospect  of  a  better 
world.  And  here  let  me  bear  testimony  to  these  dear  departed  ones. 
Through  much  difficulty  did  they  rear  their  family;  being  poor  and 
illiterate  they  had  to  rely  upon  their  own  indomitable  energy  and  their 
moral  and  religious  characters  for  support.  They  gave  to  us  all  the 
elements  of  education  to  the  utmost  of  their  ability  and  moral  precepts 
and  examples  which  have  survived  them ;  and  can  enable  me  to  say  with 
truth,  no  better  parents  ever  lived  than  your  grand  father  and  grand 
mother  Biggs.  By  the  exertions  of  my  father  and  others  an  Academy 
was  established  in  Williamston  about  1820  and  in  that  Academy  I 
received  all  the  educational  advantages  I  ever  enjoyed.  I  grew  very  rap- 
id [ly]  and  at  the  age  of  15  was  of  manly  stature  weighing  180  and  about 
that  age  left  school  and  substantially  the  home  circle,  to  complete  my 
education  as  a  merchants  clerk.  In  1825  I  resided  a  short  time  with  a 
Mr.  Martin,  a  merchant  in  Washington.  In  1826  I  resided  at  Hamilton 
and  was  Clerk  for  a  Mr.  Edwards,  a  merchant  at  that  place.  In  June 
1827  I  engaged  with  Mr.  Henry  Williams  of  Williamston,  to  superin- 
tend his  mercantile  business  at  that  place  for  one  third  of  the  nett 
profits  and  so  continued  for  two  years.  My  income  by  this  arrange- 
ment I  think  was  about  $500  per  year.  About  this  time  I  concluded  to 
read  law  and  for  the  next  two  years  until  June  1831  I  acted  as  Clerk 
for  Mr.  Williams  at  an  annual  salary  of  $350,  he  furnishing  me  board. 
I  note  this  to  show  my  beginning,  and  it  certainly  was  small !  and  yet, 
it,  no  doubt,  was  exceedingly  useful  to  learn  me  economy,  diligence  and 
perseverence.  I  had  no  legal  instruction,  and  consequently  labored 
under  many  disadvantages  in  pursuing  my  studies,  but  I  applied  myself 
diligently  in  reading,  whenever  I  could,  consistently  with  my  duties  as 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  5 

Clerk.  I  determined  to  apply  for  license  and  in  July  1831  visited 
Raleigh  for  that  purpose.  In  addition  to  doubts  as  to  my  legal  qualifica- 
tions I  needed  six  months  age  to  make  me  21,  and  altogether  my  anxiety 
as  to  success  was  great.  The  Judges  however  (Henderson  and  Hall3 
who  examined  me)  greatly  to  my  relief  treated  me  very  kindly :  omitted 
to  ask  me  any  question  as  to  my  age  and  gave  me  license  to  practice  law 
in  the  County  Courts4  and  I  returned  home  with  a  light  and  joyous 
heart.  The  County  Court  of  Martin  County  was  held  in  a  few  days 
after  I  reached  home  and  during  that  week  I  realized  in  fees  about 
fifty  dollars  which  was  a  good  beginning  and  gave  me  much  encourage- 
ment. 

AT  THE  BAR 

The  first  Monday  in  August  I  attended  the  County  Court  of  Pitt 
where  I  made  my  maiden  speech  in  an  address  to  the  Grand  Jury, 
among  strangers.  I  then  took  the  Counties  of  Martin,  Pitt,  Bertie, 
Edgecomb  [e]  and  occasionally  Washington  and  Green  as  a  circuit  but 
the  three  first  I  could  only  attend  regularly  in  the  County  and  Superior 
Courts  during  my  professional  course,  which  continued  for  about  25 
years.  "When  I  came  to  the  Bar,  the  Courts  I  attended  had  several  old 
and  able  lawyers  practising,  and  the  prospect  of  my  success  appeared 
very  problematical;  but  I  commenced  with  a  determination  to  succeed 
if  possible,  attended  the  courts  regularly,  applied  myself  unremittingly 
to  my  studies,  and  gave  diligent  attention  to  any  business  confided  to 
my  care.  Occasionally  and  year  after  year  the  older  members  of  the 
Bar  retired,  my  practice  increased,  and  altho'  at  no  time  did  my  annual 
receipts  amount  to  more  than  $4000  generally  for  the  last  ten  years  to 
not  more  than  $2000,  (my  circuit  being  very  contracted)  yet  I  consider 
myself  remarkably  successful,  by  economy  and  prudence,  to  have  accu- 
mulated a  comfortable  living,  by  my  profession,  particularly  when  my 
expenses  began  to  increase  rapidly  upon  the  increase  of  my  family  and 
I  have  succeeded  in  providing  for  the  wants  and  education  of  a  large 
family  of  children. 

MARRIAGE  AND  FAMILY 

On  26th  June,  1832,  I  was  married  in  Bertie  County  to  your  mother 
Martha  Elizabeth  Andrews,  who  is  the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth 
Andrews,  but  who  died  when  she  was  an  infant  and  your  mother  was 
raised  by  her  aunt  Mary  Higgs,  the  sister  of  your  grandmother  An- 
drews ;  and  they  were  the  daughters  of  your  great  grand  mother  Cotton 

3Leonard  Henderson,  Chief  Justice,  and  John  Hall,  Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court. 

4Prior  to  1868  two  licenses  were  required  in  North  Carolina,  one  admitting  to  practice  in 
the  county  courts,  the  other  admitting  to  practice  in  the  Superior  and  Supreme  Courts,  but 
the  latter  could  not  be  obtained  until  the  applicant  had  practiced  at  least  one  year  under  a 
county  court  license. 


6  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

of  Bertie  County.  We  have  now  lived  together  for  upwards  of  32  years. 
She  has  had  10  children  of  whom  8  are  now  living:  the  other  2  died  in 
infancy.  Nothing  remarkable  occurred  in  my  history  from  1832  to 
1840.  My  wife  brought  to  me  a  small  estate  consisting  of  several  slaves 
and  some  other  property  which  materially  assisted  my  small  accumula- 
tions. It  was  constant,  unremitted  labor  and  an  effort  to  provide  for  a 
growing  family.  In  1830  I  purchased  a  lot  in  Williamston  on  which 
I  built  an  office  and  enclosed  it  with  a  good  substantial  fence.  After 
my  marriage  until  January  1833  we  boarded  with  Mr.  Williams  and  the 
years  1833  and  1834  we  resided  at  a  rented  house  in  town  and  during 
that  time  I  built  a  dwelling  and  outhouses  on  my  lot — to  which  I  have 
since  greatly  added  as  my  family  increased;  and  there  we  continued  to 
reside  until  we  were  driven  from  home  in  1862. 

IN  THE  LEGISLATURE 

In  1832  I  attended  a  District  Convention  as  a  delegate  from  Martin 
County  to  nominate  an  elector  on  the  Jackson-Van  Buren  ticket.  Party 
Spirit  ran  quite  high  at  this  period  and  the  Democratic  Republican 
party  in  this  State  were  divided — a  portion  preferring  Barbour  to  Van 
Buren  for  Vice  President.  I  had  made  up  my  mind  to  attach  myself 
to  the  Democratic  party  believing  that  the  principles  of  the  party 
promised  more  good  to  the  country:  although  in  this  I  differed  from 
my  father  and  the  rest  of  the  family  who  were  in  the  opposition.  Soon 
after  my  entrance  into  active  life  and  until  1840  I  was  repeatedly  urged 
to  engage  in  politics,  but  persistently  declined,  knowing  that  I  could 
not  with  justice  to  my  family  and  future  prospects  enter  into  political 
controversy,  without  neglecting  my  private  affairs  which  required  my 
undivided  attention.  In  1840,  however,  an  election  was  pending  of  the 
most  excited  character — the  contest  between  Harrison  and  Van  Buren 
for  the  Presidency:  and  both  parties  were  greatly  excited,  and  the 
result  considered  of  the  highest  importance.  Por  the  first  time  in  the 
history  of  the  County  of  Martin,  a  convention  of  the  people  was  called 
to  nominate  candidates  for  the  General  Assembly.  At  this  meeting, 
Avhich  was  large  and  general,  Capt.  Jesse  Cooper,5  who  had  represented 
that  county  for  20  years  presided  and  by  it  he  was  nominated  as  a 
Candidate  for  the  Senate  and  me  [sic]  as  a  Candidate  for  the  House 
of  Commons,  and  I  was  informed  that  my  nomination  was  unanimous. 
I  did  not  participate  in  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting,  being  advised 
that  my  name  would  be  urged.  Prom  such  a  nomination  I  concluded 
there  was  no  escape,  and  accepted.  I  canvassed  the  county  thoroughly 
and  although  an  opposition  ticket  was  run,  I  was  elected  by  an  over- 

BHe  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  in  1822,  and  1825-'30,  inclusive;  and  of  the 
Senate  in  1831,  1834-'42,  inclusive. 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  7 

whelming  majority.  The  discharge  of  the  duties  of  this  responsible 
position  gave  me  great  anxiety — the  Legislature  was  decidedly  Whig  and 
the  State  had  voted  for  Harrison  by  a  large  majority.6  I  endeavoured, 
however,  faithfully  to  maintain  my  principles,  though  in  a  small  minor- 
ity. In  1842  I  was  again  nominated  and  elected  to  the  same  position, 
though  I  had  Democratic  opposition.  It  had  been  the  invariable  custom, 
up  to  this  time,  for  candidates  to  "treat"  with  spirituous  liquors  while 
canvassing  and  at  the  election.  I  adopted  the  custom  in  1840  to  a 
moderate  extent,  but  my  observation  satisfied  me  this  practice  was  highly 
pernicious,  and  ought  to  be  abandoned  and  therefore  I  refused  to  "treat" 
in  1842.  This  originated  numerous  false  reports,  as  to  my  purposes — 
such  as  a  desire  to  compel  by  law  all  the  fruit  trees  to  be  destroyed  and 
to  prohibit  the  introduction  of  foreign  liquors.  This  gave  me  an  op- 
portunity to  discuss  the  question  fully,  and  I  boldly  defended  my  posi- 
tion and  denounced  the  custom,  as  injurious  to  the  public  morals  and 
interest.  Since  then  I  have  never  treated,  as  was  the  former  practice, 
allthough  I  have  been  a  candidate  for  popular  suffrage  repeatedly  and 
after  the  lapse  of  years  I  still  commend  my  course  on  that  occasion  as 
proper  and  entitled  to  imitation  by  others.  In  1844  I  was  nominated 
for  the  Senate,  and  was  opposed  by  the  old  Senator  Cooper,  who  then 
denounced  nominating  conventions,  and  a  prominent  Whig  was  also  a 
candidate.  This  placed  me  in  a  very  embarrassing  situation  and  there 
was  a  reasonable  prospect  by  the  division  of  the  Democrat  party  the 
Whig  would  be  elected.  I  conducted  the  canvass  without  appealing  to 
passion,  firmly  but  temperately  arguing  principles  and  I  was  triumph- 
antly sustained  by  the  people — obtaining  a  handsome  majority  oyer 
both  of  my  opponents.  Cooper  receiving  but  25  votes.  By  this  I  was 
transferred  to  a  new  theatre  and  the  Session  of  the  General  Assembly 
was  stormy  and  excited,  the  parties  being  equally  divided  in  the  Senate, 
and  the  responsibility  of  taking  a  prominent  position  in  the  debates  and 
proceedings  being  thrown  upon  me !  but  here  as  elsewhere  I  endeavoured 
to  discharge  my  duty  with  fidelity  to  the  party  I  espoused,  and  the  great 
principles  of  administration  in  which  I  believed  the  good  of  the  country 
was  involved.  This  public  service  gave  me  considerable  prominence  in 
the  State  and  the  approbation  of  my  fellow  citizens  was  sufficient  to 
gratify  any  reasonable  ambition  and  although  it  interfered  to  some 
extent  with  my  domestic  affairs  and  somewhat  with  my  professional 
duties  I  very  cheerfully  made  the  sacrifice,  as  a  duty  I  owed  to  my 
family  and  my  country.  There  followed  however  a  period  to  "try" 
me  thoroughly. 

e13,141. 


8  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

REPRESENTATIVE  Iff  CONGRESS 

The  County  of  Martin  had  been  attached  to  the  ninth  Congressional 
District  in  1842,  having  little  or  no  intercourse  with  the  other  Counties 
in  the  District  except  Bertie.  The  District  was  decidedly  Whig  and 
gave  in  1844  in  the  Presidential  election  between  Clay  and  Polk,  nearly 
a  majority  of  1000  for  the  Whig  ticket.  Late  in  the  Spring  of  1845,  the 
Democratic  party  held  a  District  Convention  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
District,  in  which  the  county  of  Martin  was  not  represented  and  much  to 
my  surprise  and  embarrassment  nominated  me  as  a  Candidate  for  Con- 
gress. The  almost  certain  prospect  was  defeat ;  the  Whig  candidate  Col. 
David  Outlaw7  was  a  gentleman  of  talent  and  worth.  In  a  large  number 
of  the  Counties  I  was  personally  unacquainted,  while  he  was  well  known 
— for  many  years  had  been  the  solicitor  for  that  judicial  District.  If  I 
did  not  accept  I  ran  the  risk  of  incurring  the  censure  of  friends  whose 
good  opinion  I  highly  valued  and  if  the  improbable  result  should  be 
success,  it  would  effectually  throw  me  out  of  the  practice  of  the  law  and 
deprive  me  of  the  personal  supervision  of  my  growing  family.  I  took 
time  for  one  week,  to  deliberate,  at  the  end  of  which  I  accepted  the 
nomination  and  entered  actively  into  the  canvass.  I  concluded  it  was 
my  duty.  The  principles  of  the  two  parties  were  debated  with  ardor 
but  with  proper  temper  and  personal  respect.  And  here  I  will  note  my 
entire  disapprobation  of  the  vicious  practice  of  public  men  becoming 
personal  enemies  and  indulging  in  personal  reproaches  while  discussing 
political  principles.  It  prostitutes  the  public  morals,  unnecessarily  en- 
genders strife,  exerts  a  baneful  influence  and  develops  the  worst  passions 
of  the  human  heart.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  say  that  Col.  Outlaw  and 
myself  canvassed  the  District  on  two  occasions  at  a  very  excitable  period 
in  1847  during  the  progress  of  the  Mexican  War,  without  an  unkind 
personal  remark;  and  although  we  did  not  spare  each  other's  political 
positions  or  arguments  yet  we  maintained  our  social  intercourse  unim- 
paired and  my  personal  respect  for  him  increased  rather  than  dimin- 
ished. And  I  had  as  well  mention  now  that  in  1848  I  canvassed  an 
electoral  District  in  the  Presidential  election  of  that  year  with  Edward 
Stanly,8  estimated  one  of  the  most  violent  partisans  in  the  State,  and 
who   I   regret  to  say  has   since  become   a   degenerate  son.9     He  was 


7David  Outlaw  was  a  native  of  Bertie  County.  He  was  graduated  from  the  University  of 
North  Carolina  in  1824,  studied  law,  and  practiced  at  Windsor.  In  1831  he  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Commons  and  served  through  1834.  He  was  elected  as  a  Whig  to 
the  Thirtieth,  Thirty-first,  and  Thirty-second  Congresses,  serving  from  March  4,  1847,  to 
March  3,  1853.  He  again  served  in  the  House  of  Commons  1854,  1856,  and  1858;  and  in 
the  State  Senate  in  1860  and  1866. 

Represented  Beaufort  County  in  the  House  of  Commons  in  1844,  1846,  and  1848;  Speaker 
in  1844  and  1846;  member  of  Congress,  1837-'43,  1849-'53. 

9In  1853  Stanly  removed  to  California,  where  he  became  prominent  in  politics.  In  1862 
President  Lincoln,  in  an  effort  to  organize  a  "loyal"  state  government  in  North  Carolina, 
appointed  Stanly  "governor."  Stanly  followed  the  Union  army  to  New  Bern,  where  he 
issued  his  proclamation  and  set  up  his  government.  Soon  perceiving  the  hopelessness  of  his 
task  he  resigned  and  returned  to  California.  His  conduct  was  bitterly  denounced  by  his 
former  friends  and  acquaintances  in  North  Carolina. 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  9 

elector  on  the  Taylor  and  I  on  the  Cass  ticket;  and  but  one  unpleasant 
passage  occurred  between  us  which  was  at  the  conclusion  of  the  Canvass ; 
and  his  unkind  personal  remark  was  retracted  as  soon  as  the  heat  of  the 
moment  passed  and  we  closed  the  discussion  personal  friends.  My  con- 
clusion, therefore,  is,  that  if  a  public  man,  while  firmly  sustaining  his 
personal  dignity,  does  not  unnecessarily  provoke  personal  criminations, 
the  vicious  example  of  public  men  debasing  themselves  and  the  public 
mind  by  personal  feuds  will  be  avoided.  The  great  issues  at  that  day 
were  a  modification  of  the  Tariff  of  1842 ;  a  United  States  Bank  instead 
of  the  Independent  Treasury,  and  a  distribution  of  the  proceeds  of  the 
public  lands.  The  question  was  also  debated  as  to  the  propriety  of 
terminating  the  joint  occupation  of  Oregon  by  Great  Britain  and  the 
United  States.  I  was  in  favor  of  a  modification  of  the  Tariff  so  as  to 
make  the  burdens  of  taxation  more  equal,  being  opposed  to  the  protection 
afforded  to  northern  manufactures;  I  was  opposed  to  a  United  States 
Bank  and  in  favor  of  the  sub-treasury.  I  also  opposed  a  distribution 
of  the  proceeds  of  the  public  lands,  and  was  in  favor  of  giving  notice 
to  Great  Britain  to  terminate  the  joint  occupation  of  Oregon.  Col. 
Outlaw  took  opposite  positions  to  those  I  assumed.  The  result  was,  I 
was  sustained  by  a  majority  of  146  votes,  showing  a  very  close  race,  out 
of  10,000  votes.  I  attributed  my  success  mainly  to  the  position  I  took 
on  the  Tariff  question.  During  the  canvass  some  of  my  friends,  know- 
ing the  former  party  majority  against  me  and  governed  by  their  ideas 
of  policy,  advised  that  in  certain  counties  I  should  not  argue  against 
or  for  certain  measures,  in  which  I  disagreed  with  a  majority  of  the 
people.  But  my  judgment  and  principles  taught  me  differently  and 
therefore  on  all  occasions  and  in  every  county  I  boldly  advocated  the 
cause  I  represented  and  I  therefore  went  to  Congress  a  representative 
man,  no  voter  being  able  to  reproach  me  with  concealing  my  opinions  or 
deceiving  him  as  to  my  position. 

Upon  taking  my  seat  in  the  House  of  Representatives  at  Wash- 
ington in  December  1845,  I  felt  oppressed  with  the  weight  of  my 
responsibility,  and  being  so  deficient  in  education,  and  a  general 
course  of  reading  and  political  information  I  greatly  feared  I  should 
disappoint  the  expectations  of  my  friends  and  should  fail  to  do  credit 
to  myself  and  the  State.  Every  thing  was  new  and  I  must  learn 
everyday.  I  had  the  disposition  of  application  and  therefore  was 
assiduous  in  the  acquisition  of  knowledge  to  fit  me  for  the  duties  of  the 
Station.  For  one  month  I  gave  myself  but  little  sleep  and  no  exercise 
and  this  with  the  change  of  habits  and  diet  came  near  prostrating  me. 
After  feeling  the  effects  upon  my  constitution,  which  before  I  thought 
could  stand  any  amount  of  such  labor,  I  was  compelled  to  change  my 


10  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

course,  but  the  effect  of  this  unremitted  application  I  did  not  recover 
from  for  two  years.  We  had  a  very  protracted  session  and  one  incident 
gave  me  great  pain  and  severed  a  friendship  in  a  very  unpleasant  man- 
ner. Mr.  W.  H.  Haywood  was  one  of  the  Senators  from  the  State, 
elected  partly  by  my  vote  when  I  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature. 
The  tariff  question  was  one  in  which  my  constituents  felt  a  deep  interest. 
The  House  of  Representatives  had  passed  a  bill  to  modify  the  Tariff 
for  which  I  had  voted.  Parties  so  stood  in  the  Senate  that  the  vote 
wa3  doubtful,  and  as  the  time  for  voting  approached  it  was  reported  that 
Mr.  Haywood  would  vote  against  the  bill.  I  proposed  to  the  Democratic 
members  of  the  House  to  call  upon  him  and  remonstrate.  They  de- 
clined, none  of  them  having  assisted  in  his  election  but  myself.  I 
sought  an  interview  in  which  we  had  a  very  animated  and  excited  con- 
versation at  the  door  of  the  Senate  Chamber;  the  last  we  ever  had. 
Shortly  afterwards  on  the  same  day  he  resigned  as  Senator  which  placed 
the  fate  of  the  bill  more  doubtful.10  Fully  impressed  with  a  sense  of  my 
public  duty  and  feeling  sensibly  the  unpleasantness  of  my  situation  I, 
on  the  next  day,  in  the  House,  publicly  denounced  his  conduct.  It  is 
proper  to  state  that  Mr.  .Haywood  was  universally  condemned  by  his 
party  in  this  State  for  his  course,  and  never  recovered  any  political 
standing  thereafter.  During  this  Session  the  War  with  Mexico  was 
recognized  and  efficient  measures  adopted  for  its  prosecution.  For  all 
these  measures  I  voted.  I  had  become  greatly  chagrined  at  the  cor- 
rupted course  of  public  affairs  and  my  JNTorth  Carolina  ideas  of  frugality 
and  economy  in  public  expenditures  were  greatly  shocked.  Long  absence 
from  home  had  deranged  all  my  private  arrangements  and  my  family 
were  suffering  for  my  personal  superintendence.  At  the  commencement 
of  the  short  Session  in  December  1846  I  wrote  to  the  leading  men  in  the 
District  declining  to  run  again  as  a  Candidate  and  requesting  that  steps 
might  be  taken  to  run  some  other  person  at  the  next  election.  In  re- 
sponse to  these  letters  there  was  universal  dissent,  and  I  fully  ascer- 
tained that  the  public  dissatisfaction  and  censure  would  be  general  and 
I  should  incur  the  disapprobation  of  many  of  my  warmest  and  most 
valued  personal  and  political  friends.  I  concluded  therefore  to  sacrifice 
my  personal  wishes  and  desires  to  a  sense  of  duty.  In  1847  Col.  Outlaw 
was  again  my  competitor  and  all  the  old  political  issues  were  evaded  or 
abandoned  and  nothing  was  discussed  in  this  canvass  but  the  Mexican 
War  and  its  incidents.  In  connexion  with  this  some  of  my  votes  were 
misrepresented  by  my  political  opponents  in  some  of  the  Counties,  by 
which  I  was  made  to  appear  as  opposed  to  an  increase  of  the  soldiers 
pay  and  the  result  was  that  the  former  party  vote  was  nearly  rallied 


10For   an    account   of   this   incident,    together    with    Haywood's    defense    of    his    course,    see 
Connor,  R.  D.  W.,  North  Carolina  Review,  July  2,  1911. 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  11 

in  opposition  to  me  and  my  opponent  was  elected  by  upwards  of  700 
majority.  I  can  truthfully  say  that  except  for  the  mortification  and 
disappointment  to  my  friends,  after  the  excitement  of  the  moment 
passed,  the  defeat  was  neither  unexpected  nor  viewed  with  regret. 

I  could  now  honorably  retire  from  public  life,  and  could  devote  myself 
to  the  prosecution  of  my  profession  and  attention  to  my  family.  I 
found,  however,  as  all  will  who  have  tried  it,  that  it  required  time  to 
recover  practice  lost  by  irregular  attendance  on  the  Courts.  But  I  set 
to  work  with  diligence  in  reading  to  refresh  my  mind  for  the  practice  and 
regularly  attended  the  Courts,  by  which  I  partially,  if  not  fully,  suc- 
ceeded in  regaining  my  business. 

DELEGATE  TO  CONSTITUTIONAL  CONVENTION  OF  1835 

I  will  now  before  I  proceed  further  supply  an  omission  at  the  proper 
place.  I  have  stated  that  I  persistently  declined  engaging  in  politics 
until  1840.  But  in  1835  I  was  elected  and  served  as  a  member  from 
the  County  of  Martin  in  the  State  Convention  called  to  amend  the 
Constitution  of  the  State.  I  was  then  only  24  years  old  and  I  consid- 
ered myself  highly  honored  by  this  position  of  distinction.  This  body 
was  composed  of  the  most  experienced  and  talented  men  in  the  State, 
''grave  and  reverend  seignors" ;  and  my  association  with  such  a  dignified 
and  able  convention  was  an  admirable  and  useful  school  for  me,  being 
nearly  the  youngest  member  of  the  body.  I  did  not  participate  in  the 
Debates,  but  was  an  attentive  and  careful  learner,  and  always  feel  grati- 
fied that  my  native  county  thought  me  worthy  to  represent  them  in  such 
an  important  assembly.11 

RELIGIOUS  EXPERIENCES 

And  now  I  approach  a  period  in  my  history  of  a  deeply  interesting 
character.  Surrounded  as  I  had  ever  been  by  religious  influences  and 
associations  my  mind  had  often  been  drawn  to  a  consideration  of  my 
latter  end,  but  no  decided  impression  had  ever  been  made.  I  had  gen- 
erally been  guided  by  moral  principles,  and  had  never  indulged  to  excess, 
or  to  any  great  extent,  in  the  vices  and  wickedness,  common  to  many  of 
my  acquaintances  and  associates.  Endeavoring  to  guide  myself  by  the 
strictest  rules  of  honor,  and  sobriety,  absorbed  in  the  pursuit  of  wealth 
and  fame,  and  the  gratification  of  what  I  esteemed  a  laudable  ambition ; 
I  concluded  that  it  was  time  enough,  in  my  declining  years,  to  turn  my 
attention  to  religious  matters — very  suitable  for  those  in  advanced  life, 
but  for  me,  they  would  seriously  interfere  with  my  success  at  present. 
Above  all,  I  entertained  a  decided  opinion  that  no  person  could  pursue 
the  profession  of  Law,  and  be  a  Christian;  and  to  abandon  my  profes- 

"His  associate  from  Martin  was  Jesse  Cooper. 


12  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

sion,  would  disappoint  all  my  hopes  of  wealth  and  fame.  I  quieted  my 
uneasiness  of  conscience  which  occasionally  disturbed  me,  by  the  con- 
sideration that  I  stood  much  better  than  many  others,  and  I  had  a 
better  opinion  of  myself  than  many  who  professed  religion.  I  always 
paid  due  respect  to  religious  characters,  and  religious  ordinances  and 
worship ;  frequently  attended  preaching  of  all  denominations — more 
generally  upon  Methodist  service  as  their  Meeting  House  was  on  ad- 
joining lot — and  often  the  Ministers  and  members  of  that  society  visited 
my  house,  partook  of  my  hospitality,  and  with  some  of  them,  I  was  on 
terms  of  intimacy  and  friendship.  I  often  passed  through  periods  of 
religious  excitement,  and  while  occasionally  serious  impressions  would 
force  themselves  upon  me,  I  condemned  the  noise  and  tumult  of  such 
scenes.  When  I  was  engaged  in  religious  conversation,  it  was  in  refer- 
ence to  the  differences  in  doctrine  and  practice  between  the  Baptists 
and  Methodists,  and,  if  I  was  with  a  Methodist,  I  argued  for  the  Bap- 
tists and,  if  with  a  Baptist,  I  argued  for  the  Methodists.  But  my  most 
mature  reflection,  could  not  explain  satisfactorily  how  God  could  be 
just,  and  save  a  portion  of  the  human  family,  and  condemn  the  residue. 
Thus  I  speculated  and  acted,  and  thus  I  should  have  speculated  and  thus 
I  should  have  acted,  until  this  day — aye,  even  to  the  last  day  of  my 
earthly  existence;  if,  God  in  his  mercy,  had  not  opened  my  eyes,  and 
changed  the  whole  current  of  my  thoughts  and  speculations. 

"In  the  early  part  of  April  1851,  there  was  a  religious  excitement  in 
the  Methodist  Church  in  this  town.12  For  some  time  before  this,  I 
had  discovered  that  my  wife  was  deeply  concerned  on  the  subject  of 
religion  and  during  this  excitement,  she  attended  the  meetings,  and 
appeared  to  be  more  powerfully  operated  on.  I  was  laboring  under  a 
violent  cold  and  hoarseness,  but  I  went  with  her  on  Thursday  night, 
and  after  the  sermon,  when  an  invitation  was  given  to  go  up  to  the 
altar,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  she  was  prevented  from  going,  by  a 
fear  that  it  would  not  be  agreeable  to  me;  and,  to  relieve  her,  I  went 
across  the  house,  and  told  her  if  she  felt  an  inclination  to  go,  to  do  so; 
and,  at  my  solicitation,  she  went  up,  and  I  went  with  her.  After  the 
services,  we  came  home,  and  I  did  not  feel  any  particular  impression  on 
my  mind — it  appeared  to  be  entirely  sympathetic  for  her  and  we  went  to 
bed,  and  I  took  some  paregoric  for  my  cold.  This  was  10th  April  1851. 
About  2  o'clock  of  that  night,  I  awoke  in  great  agony  of  mind — at  first 
thought  I  was  laboring  under  fever,  but  soon  became  satisfied  that  my 
mind  was  powerfully  awakened  as  to  my  awful  condition  as  a  sinner, 
so  that  in  a  few  minutes,  the  visitation  was  so  great,  as  to  compel  me  to 
cry  aloud  for  mercy  and  arouse  the  whole  house.     I  thought  my  mental 

"Williamston. 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  13 

powers  were  giving  away.  This  continued  for  two  hours.  Some  Metho- 
dist friends,  who  were  staying  with  us,  sent  off  after  Mr.  Carson  and  Mr. 
Martin  the  preachers — they  came  and  prayed — but  no  relief  could  I 
find.  After  about  two  hours  I  became  more  composed,  but  the  melan- 
choly and  depression  of  spirits  continued,  more  or  less,  and  all  the  time 
very  great,  until  the  next  Tuesday  evening  15th.  On  Friday  and  Sat- 
urday mornings,  I  went  to  the  prayer  meetings.  On  Saturday,  I  went 
to  Skewarkey,  and  heard  Bro.  Hassell13  preach  from  33  Psalm  18  and 
19th  verses.  Monday  was  Court  day.  I  went  to  the  Court  House  and  staid 
a  short  time.  On  Tuesday  I  did  not  go.  On  Tuesday  evening,  while 
meditating,  the  8th  verse  of  3d  Chapter  of  John  came  to  my  mind  with 
such  power  I  repeated  it  aloud :  and  I  became  thereafter  more  composed, 
and  for  several  days  my  soul  was  drawn  out  to  praise  the  Lord  for  his 
goodness  and  love;  and  frequently  I  was  in  a  flood  of  tears  praising  and 
blessing  the  Lord.  On  the  Saturday  before  the  5th  Sunday  in  June, 
being  Union  meeting  at  Skewarkey — the  28th,  I  was  received  a  Member 
of  Skewarkey  Church;  and  on  the  29th  baptized  in  Roanoke  River  at 
Williamston  by  Elder  C.  B.  Hassell  in  the  presence  of  a  large  crowd  of 
spectators.  At  some  other  time  I  propose  to  write  my  exercises  more 
at  length." 

Commencing  with,  and  including  the  quotation  points  above,  is  the 
Copy  of  a  memorandum  I  made  in  January  1853,  which  I  now  tran- 
scribe as  fully  disclosing  my  feelings  at  that  time;  but  it  signally  fails 
to  give  an  adequate  description  of  my  conviction,  and  as  I  humbly  trust, 
my  conversion  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the 
power  of  sin  and  Satan  to  the  service  of  the  true  and  living  God.  If 
I  make  the  attempt  to  "write  my  exercises  more  at  length,"  I  shall  fall 
infinitely  short  to  give  you  a  faint  representation  of  my  conflicts,  trials, 
hopes  and  rejoicing;  but,  I  venture  to  say,  that  the  awful  gloom,  that 
hung  over  me  at  the  time  I  awoke  out  of  sleep,  may  be  compared  to  an 
impenetrable  overhanging  cloud,  ready  to  burst  upon  me  in  all  its  fury, 
and  to  sink  me  to  everlasting  despair  and  ruin;  while  I  was  anxiously 
looking  for  some  ray  of  light,  through  the  gloom,  by  which  I  might  hope 
to  escape  the  impending  danger ;  but  no  glimmer  could  I  discover.  I 
felt  indeed,  that  I  was  a  poor,  miserable  and  lost  sinner;  condemned  to 
punishment  for  my  iniquities ;  and  my  cry  was,  Lord !  save  or  I  perish ! 
All  my  moral  rectitude  did  not  avail  me.  I  could  see  nothing  to  extri- 
cate me  from  this  awful  dilemma.  My  intense  suffering,  forced  me  to 
cry  out  in  despair,  and  I  readily  concluded  that  I  was  going  deranged, 
and  frequently  enquired,  Am  I   losing  my  mind?     During  this  deep 

13Cushing  Biggs  Hassell,  a  noted  Primitive  Baptist  Elder.  For  an  interesting  biographical 
sketch  by  Francis  D.  Winston,  see  Ashe,  S.  A.  (ed.)  :  Biographical  History  of  North  Caro- 
lina, V.  124. 


14  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

distress,  all  my  sins  and  improprieties  seemed  to  be  brought  before  me, 
and  I  am  reminded  that  I  felt  sincerely  desirous,  to  make  friends  with 
all  those  with  whom  I  was  not  then  on  friendly  terms,  and  felt  willing 
to  accommodate  every  difficulty  I  had  ever  had  with  my  fellow  men.  I 
was  willing  to  obtain  relief  in  any  way,  and  from  any  body,  and  readily 
attended  the  meetings  with  the  hope  of  being  relieved :  yet  my  inclination 
was  to  seclude  myself  from  observation  and  read,  and  pray,  and  meditate 
in  secret ;  and  thus  I  was  engaged  the  most  of  the  time  for  several  days. 
Nothing  that  was  said  or  done  appeared  to  soothe  or  console,  I  was 
unalterably  miserable,  and  could  find  no  solace  or  hope.  And  here,  I 
had  as  well  transcribe  in  full,  the  text  of  Bro.  Hassell  to  which  allusion 
has  been  made,  33d  Psalm  18  and  19  verses.  "Behold,  the  eye  of  the  Lord 
is  upon  them  that  fear  him,  upon  them  that  hope  in  his  mercy;  to 
deliver  their  soul  from  death  and  to  keep  them  alive  in  famine."  It  is 
a  blessed  promise  to  a  sin-sick  soul,  but  from  it,  or  his  sermon  could  I 
derive  no  consolation.  I  had  no  sudden  deliverance  from  this  deep  dis- 
tress. The  first  composure  and  serenity  of  mind  I  enjoyed,  and  that 
slight,  was  on  Tuesday  evening  when,  as  I  have  heretofore  said,  the  8th 
verse  of  3d  Chapter  of  St.  John  was  forcibly  brought  to  my  mind.  It 
reads  thus,  "The  wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth,  and  thou  hearest  the  sound 
thereof;  but  cans't  not  tell  whence  it  cometh  or  whither  it  goeth;  so  is 
every  one  that  is  born  of  the  Spirit."  Commencing  here,  my  mind 
grew  more  calm  and  composed,  and  my  soul,  for  several  days,  was 
melted  in  thanksgiving  and  praise  to  God  for  his  loving  Kindness  and 
for  being  delivered  from  the  deep  gloom  through  which  I  had  passed. 
My  wife  and  myself,  had  often  conversed  about  family  prayers.  It 
seemed  impressed  upon  me  for  years  as  proper,  but  I  never  could  de- 
termine to  discharge  this  duty;  but  during  the  week,  one  night,  I  called 
the  family  together  and  in  a  trembling  manner,  bowed  at  the  family 
altar,  and,  I  hope,  most  sincerely  implored  mercy  and  supplicated  bless- 
ings, from  our  Heavenly  Father.  In  the  discharge  of  this  duty,  I 
experienced  more,  sudden,  sensible,  consolation,  than  I  have  ever  en- 
joyed; and  therefore  I  continue  the  same  to  this  day,  believing  it  a 
duty  acceptable  to  God.  My  mind  was  soon  drawn  to  the  consideration 
of  Christian  association ;  and  a  desire  was  excited  to  partake  of  the 
Lord's  Supper.  I  had  conversation  on  experience  with  some  Baptists 
and  Methodists;  among  the  latter  were  some  friends  I  highly  esteemed, 
and  whose  exercises,  induced  me  to  believe  they  were  truly  converted  by 
the  Spirit  of  God.  But  when  I  compared  their  professed  faith  with 
the  Bible,  I  concluded  they  must  be  in  error.  And  yet  I  reasoned — 
how  is  it  that  Christians  so  essentially  differ  as  to  doctrine  and  ordi- 
nances ?    Does  God  permit  his  children  to  see  so  different  [ly]  when  they 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  15 

are  led  by  the  same  Spirit  ?  This  gave  me  much  trouble ;  but  it  finally 
occurred  to  me  that  it  may  be  permitted  for  some  wise  and  good  purpose ; 
as  inscrutable  to  finite  creatures  as  the  dispensation  of  His  providence 
in  temporal  matters,  where  we  see  the  righteous  and  pious  bowed  down 
by  poverty  and  disaster,  when  the  wicked  and  vicious  are  permitted  to 
prosper.  The  important  question  for  my  decision  and  action,  is,  what 
path  the  lights  afforded  me  teach  me  to  walk;  and,  I  soon  came  to  the 
conclusion,  that  it  was  my  duty  to  attach  myself  to  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Church  at  Skewarkey;  altho'  by  so  doing  I  should  incur  the  con- 
tumely and  disapprobation  of  all  the  world  besides.  From  April  to 
the  last  of  June  when  I  was  baptized,  I  passed  through  many  scenes,  I 
attended  the  Supreme  Court  and  argued  my  cases  there;  I  visited 
Chapel  Hill  at  the  commencement  exercises  of  the  University  of  North 
Carolina;  and  was  thrown  into  a  variety  of  company  and  associations; 
and  in  reviewing  my  course  and  feelings,  it  was  made  evident  to  my 
mind,  that  the  finger  of  a  merciful  God  had  directed  my  pathway  down 
into  the  liquid  grave  in  which  I  was  .buried  in  the  Roanoke  River ;  and, 
on  that  day,  if  I  could  have  had  my  choice,  I  would  preferred  to  have 
had  the  whole  world  present  to  witness  my  profession.  And  yet,  on 
that  day,  never  did  I  feel  a  more  humbling  sense  of  my  weakness  and 
ignorance  about  divine  and  heavenly  things.  For  many  months,  did  I 
enjoy  refreshing  seasons  in  attending  the  churches  and  upon  the  admin- 
istration of  the  word  and  ordinances;  but  for  many  years  back  I  have 
failed  to  receive  those  sensible,  and  feeling,  tokens  of  love  I  then  enjoyed ; 
yet,  I  thank  God,  I  continue  to  this  day,  more  confirmed  in  my  faith, 
and  no  cause  to  regret  that  I  am  one  of  that  despised  hardshell  sect 
every  where  spoken  against.  The  foundations  of  God  standeth  sure; 
and  I  believe  we  have  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  prophets  and 
apostles,  Jesus  Christ  being  the  Chief  corner  stone;  and  the  gates  of 
hell  shall  never  be  able  to  prevail  against  it.  If  in  this  I  am  not 
deceived,  why  should  I  be  afraid  or  ashamed  of  man  whose  breath  is  in 
his  nostrils  ?  or  why  should  I  shudder  or  attempt  to  avoid,  the  reproaches 
of  a  gainsaying  world.  Perhaps  I  have  written  enough  of  my  religious 
exercises;  possibly  too  much  to  interest  you;  as  you  cannot  in  a  great 
degree  appreciate  it  now ;  yet  I  hope,  and  pray,  that  in  years  to  come, 
you  may  be  abl  [e]  to  add  yours  to  my  testimony,  and  rejoice  in  the 
same  truth:  And,  while  I  would  not  desire  in  the  slightest  degree  to 
fetter  your  consciences  in  regard  to  religious  faith,  nor  would  I  wish  to 
influence  you  except  for  good,  I  would  however,  firmly,  but  affectionately 
impress  upon  your  youthful  minds,  never  to  permit  yourselves  to  join 
the  cry  of  contumely  and  scorn  against  the  old  Baptists,  much  too 
frequent  in  this  sin-disordered  and  false  professing  world. 


16  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

I  could  greatly  enlarge  in  noting  my  spiritual  conflicts  and  warfare, 
and  give  you  some  lessons  from  my  experience  in  relation  to  spiritual 
wickedness  in  high  places,  hut  it  would  occupy  too  much  time  and  space, 
to  hut  little  profit  I  fear,  and  therefore  I  pass  on  to  the  relation  of 
other  incidents  of  my  history:  remarking  here  that  your  mother  was 
also  received  a  member  of  the  Skewarkey  Church  and  baptized  on  the 
2d  Sunday  in  Nov.  1851. 

CODE  COMMISSIONER 

In  1851  I  was  associated  with  Judge  Saunders  and  B.  F.  Moore  Esqr. 
in  a  commission  appointed  by  Gov.  Reid  to  revise  the  Statutes  of 
JSTorth  Carolina.  This  Commission  was  suited  to  my  taste  and  inclina- 
tion and  I  entered  upon  the  duties  with  alacrity  and  diligence.  Judge 
Saunders  soon  resigned,  and  the  whole  responsibility  rested  upon  Mr. 
Moore  and  myself.  We  found  it  impracticable  to  report  to  the  Session 
of  1852  and  the  General  Assembly  of  that  year  by  a  law  continued  Mr. 
Moore  and  myself  as  Commissioners  and  authorised  us  to  proceed  with- 
out an  associate.  It  was  an  arduous  labor,  and  I  was  absent  from  home 
at  Raleigh  very  frequently;  engaged  often  night  and  day  for  months. 
It  was  to  me  an  interesting  and  useful  pursuit  adding  greatly  to  my 
professional  knowledge.  During  this  employment  I  was  again  solicited 
to  engage  in  political  life.  I  was  nominated  in  1852  as  a  candidate  for 
the  State  Senate  from  Martin  County  but  I  declined  the  nomination  so 
flattering [ly]  tendered;  assigning  among  other  reasons  the  responsible 
duty  in  which  I  was  then  engaged,  from  which  I  would  be  diverted,  by 
being  a  representative  in  the  Legislature. 

The  General  Assembly  of  1852  rearranged  the  Senatorial  Districts, 
and  as  the  County  of  Martin  theretofore  entitled  to  a  Senator,  did  not 
then  pay  into  the  public  treasury  sufficient  taxes,  my  County  was  at- 
tached to  the  County  of  Washington  to  form  a  Senatorial  District.14 
As  parties  were  pretty  equally  divided  in  the  State,  and  the  Counties 
differed  in  politics,  great  interest  was  manifested  to  secure  the  repre- 
sentation of  that  Senatorial  District;  and  in  the  Spring  of  1854,  I  was 
nominated  as  the  Democratic  candidate  for  the  District  and  strongly 
urged  to  accept.  I  was  not  unmindful  of  the  unimpaired  partiality  of 
my  fellow  countrymen  and  the  gratitude  I  owed  them  for  my  support 
and  elevation  in  the  past;  and  the  duties  of  the  Commission  being 
nearly  performed,  I  consented  to  accept  the  nomination ;  and  entered 
actively  into  the  canvass.  I  was  strongly  opposed,  and  the  result  was 
doubtful.     I  felt  much  anxiety  about  it,  because  I  was  then  desirous 


14Under  the  Constitution  of  1776  each  county  had  one  senator;  but  the  Convention  of  1835 
amended  the  Constitution,  and  the  amendment  was  ratified  by  the  people  so  as  to  limit  the 
Senate  to  50  members  chosen  from  districts  to  be  laid  off  by  the  General  Assembly,  on  a 
basis  of  the  taxes  paid  into  the  State  Treasury. 


AtTTOBIOGBAPHY  OF  ASA  BlGGS  17 

to  be  on  the  floor  of  the  House  to  superintend  the  passage  of  the  Revised 
code  through  the  Legislature.  The  professional  reputation  of  my  col- 
league and  myself  was  involved,  in  obtaining  the  consent  of  the  Legisla- 
ture to  pass  the  revisal  as  we  had  prepared  it,  knowing  how  liable  it  was 
to  be  marred  and  disjointed  by  amendments,  I  was  sustained  by  a  ma- 
jority of  21  votes  only  in  the  District,  so  equally  balanced  were  the 
parties  of  that  day. 

UNITED  STATES  SENATOR 

The  session  of  1852  was  the  regular  period  for  the  election  of  one 
Senator  of  the  United  States  and  the  Session  of  1854  of  the  other.  In 
consequence  of  the  nearly  equal  division  of  parties  in  1852  a  contest 
arose  between  Mr.  Dobbin,  who  was  the  regularly  nominated  candidate 
of  the  Democratic  party,  and  Judge  Saunders,  who  opposed  him;  and 
the  session  terminated  without  an  election.  The  election  of  two  Sena- 
tors was  therefore  thrown  upon  the  Legislature  of  1854,  and  of  course 
excited  much  feeling  and  interest.  Many  names  of  high  prominence  were 
canvassed  in  the  newspapers,  and  among  a  large  number  my  name  was 
mentioned ;  but  I  can  with  sincerity  say  to  you  that  while  it  was  gratify- 
ing to  my  ambition,  I  certainly  felt  no  confidence  or  expectation  that  I 
would  stand  prominent  [ly]  for  the  position.  I  did  not  reach  Raleigh 
until  the  night  before  the  session  was  to  open;  and  then  I  ascertained, 
that  an  active  canvassing  had  been  going  on  for  a  week,  by  aspirants  for 
these  distinguished  positions,  and  that  my  name  was  generally  discussed. 
It  was  soon  evidently  the  desire  of  the  members  to  decide  these  elections 
as  early  as  practicable,  and  to  that  end  a  caucus  of  the  Democratic  party 
was  held  on  Tuesday  night.  I  did  not  attend,  although  urged  by  some 
of  my  friends  to  do  so;  nor  would  I  visit  the  members,  as  customary 
with  others,  concluding  that  it  was  a  position  not  to  be  attained  by 
personal  solicitation.  The  session  of  the  caucus  was  protracted  but  the 
result  was  that  I  was  nominated  for  the  six  years  term  and  Gov.  Reid 
(then  Governor)  was  nominated  for  the  short  term  of  four  years.  On 
Thursday  the  election  was  held  by  the  General  Assembly  and  Gov.  Reid 
and  myself  were  elected  according  to  the  nominations,  which  placed  me 
as  the  successor  of  Mr.  Badger.15  Thus,  unsolicited  on  my  part,  was 
I  elevated  to  one  of  the  most  distinguished  places  in  the  gift  of  the 
State:  and  certainly  enough  to  gratify  the  highest,  laudable  ambition. 
I  received  this  distinction  with  great  diffidence  and  a  feeling  sense  of 
my  deficiencies,  but  as  a  great  honor  to  my  County  and  family.  With 
a  firm  resolution  I  determined  to  devote  myself  unremittingly  to  the 
best  interests  of  my  native  State  and  if  possible  reflect  credit  upon  my 
constituents   and  myself.     Upon   a   review   of   all   my   surroundings  I 

"George  Edmund  Badger,  Whig,  had  been  Senator  since  1846. 
2 


18  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

strongly  impressed  upon  my  young  friends,  that  the  great  element  of 
my  success  was  a  firm  but  temperate  maintenance  of  principles,  pursued 
Avith  energy  and  a  settled  conviction  of  their  truth.  It  was  a  remarkable 
success  of  one,  unaided  by  family  or  fortune,  with  all  the  disadvantages 
of  early  life  and  a  limited  education,  emphatically  "the  architect  of  his 
own  fortune" — rising  to  a  most  exalted  position  suddenly  and  unexpect- 
edly. I  can  sincerely  assure  you  that  no  fawning  sycophancy  or  cor- 
rupting influence  was  practiced  by  me.  I  became  the  untrammeled  and 
honored  representative  of  a  proud  sovereign  State:  and  one,  not  of  the 
least  of  my  gratifications,  was  the  credit  I  had  thus  been  able  to  give 
my  dear  children,  with  the  hope  that  neither  of  them  would  ever  bring 
reproach  upon  or  tarnish  the  fair  name  I  had  thus  attained.  And  now 
in  humble  adoration  to  that  kind  Providence  who  has  so  signally  exalted 
me  above  ray  fellows,  I  would  implore  Him  to  watch  over,  guide  and 
direct  my  offspring  to  the  same  honorable,  if  not  exalted  end.  As  my 
Senatorial  term  did  not  commence  practically  until  December  1855, 
though  the  nominal  beginning  was  4th  March  1855,  I  continued  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Senate  until  the  Legislature  adjourned :  and  being  at  the  head 
of  the  large  joint  committee  of  both  Houses,  on  the  Revised  Code,  com- 
posed of  the  ablest  members,16  I  was  laboriously  engaged  on  that  subject, 
but  I  did  not  neglect  a  faithful  discharge  of  my  other  legislative  duties. 
And  here  I  am  reminded  of  a  temptation  to  which  I  was  subjected  dur- 
ing the  session  of  a  most  trying  and  unpleasant  character.  There  were 
many  schemes  of  internal  improvements.  Some  of  the  most  extrava- 
gant and  visionary  kind ;  and  altogether  of  the  most  alarming  magnitude ; 
but  they  were  urged  with  earnestness  by  members  from  the  different 
localities,  many  of  whom  had  cordially  voted  for  me  and  who  sought 
my  aid  and  assistance  for  their  favorite  schemes.  A  strong  appeal  was 
made  to  me:  that  as  I  was  about  retiring  from  the  Legislature,  I  could 
run  no  risk  of  my  constituents  by  supporting  these  measures,  and 
thereby  I  could  sustain  my  friends.  Governed  however  by  a  high  sense 
of  public  duty,  and  my  integrity  of  character,  as  the  representative  of 
the  wishes  of  my  district  I  firmly  opposed  many  of  these  darling  projects 
of  my  friends,  and  thereby  for  several  weeks  I  became  odious  to  many, 
who  in  the  early  part  of  the  Session,  seemed  greatly  attached  to  me. 
I  was  gratified  however  before  the  Session  terminated,  as  many  of  these 
projects  failed  for  want  of  a  "faithful"  cooperation  among  those  engaged 
in  the  "log  rolling,"  and  to  which  was  attributed  their  defeat,  above 
all  when  the  enormous  liabilities  proposed,  was  calmly  considered,  jus- 


16The  other  members  of  the  Committee  on  the  part  of  the  Senate  were  William  A.  Graham 
of  Orange,  William  Eaton,  Jr.,  of  Warren,  Thomas  S.  Ashe  of  Anson,  Charles  F.  Fisher  of 
Rowan  and  John  H.  Haughton  of  Chatham;  on  the  part  of  the  House.  Jesse  G.  Shepherd  of 
Cumberland,  A.  J.  Dargan  of  Anson,  Patrick  H.  Winston,  Jr.,  of  Bertie,  J.  S.  Amis  of 
Granville,  and  W.  T.  Dortch  of  Wayne. 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  19 

tice  was  done  to  my  course;  and  I  regained  the  good  will  of  all,  I  think, 
before  we  separated.  This  is  another  instance,  to  which  I  direct  your 
minds,  where  substantial  good  was  accomplished,  by  resisting  a  specious, 
and  trying  temptation  to  error. 

And,  now  I  was  necessarily  compelled  to  change  all  my  arrangments 
for  the  future.  It  was  a  thorough  disruption  of  all  my  professional, 
domestic,  business  and  family  affairs,  to  enter  upon  the  sea  of  political 
life ;  in  which  I  will  say  that,  although  it  was  gratifying  to  my  ambition, 
yet  the  turmoil  and  strife  necessarily  incident,  did  not  suit  my  inclina- 
tion. Add  to  this,  I  was  to  be  separated  from  my  christian  friends  and 
associations ;  and  I  felt  greatly  oppressed  with  my  responsibility  and  the 
trials  to  which  I  must  be  subjected.  And  after  I  have  had  long  ex- 
perience of  these  responsibilities  and  trials,  I  will  truly  advise  you  that 
the  station  of  a  faithful  public  servant  is  not  a  "bed  of  roses,"  but  it 
is  certainly  true  that  the  highest  stations  are  strewed  with  thorns  and 
difficulties. 

Gov.  Beid  resigned  his  office  of  Governor  and  went  to  the  Senate  in 
1854.  I  took  my  seat  there  in  December  1855 — a  stranger  to  the  mem- 
bers— with  a  desire  to  be  useful  as  I  could  not  hope  to  be  brilliant.  I 
soon  discovered  that  the  same  influences  operated  there  as  in  other 
places.  It  was  evident  to  my  mind  a  lamentable  decay  of  virtue 
was  progressing  in  our  public  councils:  that  there  was  no  amendment 
for  the  better  since  1845 — on  the  contrary  things  were  growing  worse. 

With  a  nominal  Democratic  party  majority  of  upward  of  15  out  of  a 
Senate  of  60  members,  I  found  myself  frequently  voting  in  a  minority 
of  from  10  to  12  members — rarely  could  we  reach  the  highest  figure — 
particularly  on  important  questions  of  public  expenditure.  The  pre- 
vailing desire  seemed  to  be,  to  procure  large  appropriations  for  any  and 
every  object :  and  there  were  constantly  presented  new  propositions  for 
lavish  expenditures :  on  which  sufficient  votes  were  generally  obtained 
from  the  Democratic  party,  with  the  opposition,  to  constitute  a  decided 
majority.  It  may  not  be  interesting,  to  diversify  this  narrative,  with 
one  or  two  illustrations  of  the  corrupting  influence  brought  to  bear  upon 
Congress.     I  will  select  one  of  the  smallest  of  these  abuses. 

For  some  time  previous  to  1845  there  was  considerable  discussion  in 
relation  to  Books  furnished  to  the  Members  of  Congress.  It  was  repre- 
sented as  a  growing  abuse  and  I  felt  desirous  to  correct  it.  The  custom 
was  for  some  old  member  at  the  commencement  of  Congress  to  move  a 
resolution  directing  the  Clerk  to  purchase  for  and  furnish  to  the  new 
members  the  books  formerly  furnished  to  the  old  members  and  subse- 
quently the  appropriation  was  made  in  the  general  appropriation  bill. 
At  that  time  the  value  to  each  member  was  nearly  one  thousand  dollars — 


20  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

the  cost  to  the  government  and  the  appropriation  was  generally  about 
$75,000.  Soon  after  I  took  my  seat  as  a  member  of  the  House,  the 
usual  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  [Robert  C]  Winthrop  of  Massachusetts. 
Upon  its  introduction,  a  member  from  Maine,  (a  new  member)  vio- 
lently opposed  it  in  an  hour's  speech,  in  which  he  charged  corruption 
and  alleged  that  members  were  in  the  habit  of  selling  their  books  for 
three  or  four  hundred  Dollars,  and  pocketing  the  money,  instead  of 
distributing  the  books  for  general  information — the  ostensible  object 
of  the  appropriation.  Thereupon  Mr.  Winthrop  asked  that  his  resolu- 
tion might  be  laid  upon  the  table,  until  an  investigation  could  be  had, 
and  called  upon  the  member  from  Maine  to  move  a  Committee  to  relieve 
the  house  from  these  serious  charges  and  expose  the  guilty.  I  was  much 
pleased  with  this  movement,  with  a  fond  hope  that  this  great  outrage 
would  be  corrected.  A  committee  was  raised,  of  which  the  member 
from  Maine,  of  course,  was  chairman.  I  sought  his  acquaintance  and 
encouraged  him  to  make  a  full  exposure.  I  frequently  called  upon  him 
to  inquire  how  he  was  progressing  with  the  investigation,  and  at  first 
he  stated,  he  had  not  convened  the  Committee,  as  he  was  collecting  in- 
formation to  be  laid  before  them  when  they  assembled.  Shortly,  it  was 
said,  that  nearly  all  the  Books,  necessary  to  supply  the  members,  be- 
longed to  the  Government,  and  were  then  lying  in  a  room  in  the  Capitol 
injuring,  and  but  a  small  amount  would  be  necessary  to  complete  the 
set.  The  result  was,  the  Committee  never  were  convened  and  after 
some  months  delay  the  resolution  of  Mr.  W[inthrop]  was  passed,  and 
the  appropriation  was  subsequently  made.  It  was  evident  to  me,  that 
the  member  from  Maine  soon  surrendered  to  the  corrupting  influence 
brought  to  bear  upon  him,  or  was  made  the  dupe  of  those  interested  in 
that  question.  I  afterwards  learned,  it  was  true,  there  was  a  large 
number  of  the  Books  required,  lying  in  a  room  in  the  Capitol,  but  they 
were  not  owned  by  the  Government,  but  belonged  to  the  booksellers  who 
had  purchased  them  from  old  members. 

This  abuse  continued  and  increased,  until  public  sentiment,  compelled 
.Congress  to  pass  a  law,  prohibiting  any  appropriation,  upon  a  resolution 
in  regard  to  Books  as  had  been  before  customary,  and  such  was  the  law 
Avhen  I  went  into  the  Senate.  Notwithstanding  this  law,  the  practice 
continued  until  the  value  of  the  Books  to  each  member,  was  about 
$1500,  and  the  appropriation  about  $150,000.  The  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives passed  the  usual  resolution  and  appropriation.  The  Senate, 
inconsistent  with  their  usual  course,  rejected  that  item  in  the  appropria- 
tion bill  and  that  with  other  matters  became  a  subject  of  conference 
between  the  two  Houses.  I  was  placed  upon  the  Committee  of  Con- 
ference.    A  compromise  was  made  with  the  consent  of  a  majority  of  the 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  21 

Senate  Committee  by  which  a  part  of  the  Books  was  appropriated  for. 
I  opposed  the  report  of  the  Committee  in  the  Senate  and  was  gratified 
to  find  that  my  position  was  sustained  by  a  majority  and  the  report 
not  concurred  in — something  very  unusual  upon  reports  of  Committees 
of  Conference.  The  bill  was  sent  to  another  Committee,  and  they 
could  not  agree,  and  on  the  very  last  day  of  the  Session  another  Com- 
mittee was  raised  upon  which  I  was  again  placed.  The  Conference 
was  not  harmonious.  I  would  not  yield  a  principle,  in  defiance  of  a 
solemn  act  of  Congress :  but  the  bill  was  an  important  one,  involving 
millions  for  necessary  objects  and  a  majority  of  the  Committee  again 
made  a  compromise  striking  down  the  appropriation  and  providing  for 
a  distribution  of  the  Books  in  the  Congressional  Districts.  I  still  op- 
posed it,  but  it  was  passed  in  the  expiring  hour  of  the  Session.  ISTow 
from  this  you  can  form  some  faint  conception — faint  though  it  will  be — 
of  the  extravagance,  waste  and  corruption,  that  controlled  our  public 
council,  yearly  and  daily  destroying  the  vitals  of  healthy,  honest  legis- 
lation. 

I  give  you  another  incident.  According  to  the  long  habit  of  the 
Senate,  the  Senate  Committees  at  the  commencement  of  each  Session, 
were  arranged  in  caucus  by  the  majority  party,  taking  a  majority  on 
each  Committee  and  leaving  to  the  opposition  to  fill  up  the  minority  in 
their  caucus :  and  as  new  members  of  the  majority  came  in,  they  were 
placed  at  the  foot  of  the  Committees  and  gradually  went  up  by  seniority 
until  they  reached  the  head.  The  consequence  was  that  Gov.  Beid  and 
myself,  being  new  members,  were  placed  in  apparently,  no  prominent 
positions.  I  protested  in  caucus  against  this  injustice  [to]  Gov,  Beid,  but 
I  was  assured  by  old  members,  it  was  the  only  rule  that  could  be  adopted 
to  avoid  difficulty,  after  long  years  of  experience  and  I  of  course  yielded. 
I  was  placed  on  two  or  three  committees,  but  the  only  one  of  impor- 
tance was  the  Committee  on  Territories  (of  which  Judge  [Stephen  A.] 
Douglas  was  chairman),  then  not  very  important  but  subsequently  ob- 
tained great  importance,  in  consequence  of  the  exciting  questions  that 
arose  as  to  the  establishment  of  territorial  governments,  and  which 
shook  the  Union  from  its  base. 

During  the  first  session  my  position  was  clearly  defined  by  my  votes, 
invariably  against  wasteful  extravagance — generally  voting  as  I  said 
in  a  minority  of  10  or  12.  When  the  Committees  were  being  arranged 
for  the  next  session,  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Finance,  (one  of 
the  most  important  and  distinguished  of  the  Senate  and  of  which  Mr. 
[B.  M.  T.]  Hunter  of  Ya.  was  chairman)  insisted  that  he  should  be 
taken  from  that  Committee  and  that  I  should  fill  his  place:  assigning 
as  a  reason  that  as  the  Committee  was  then  constituted,  a  majority 


22  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

were  for  large  appropriations — that  lie  was  compelled  frequently  to  go 
for  these  appropriations  against  his  better  judgment,  that  it  was  neces- 
sary that  Mr.  Hunter  should  be  sustained  in  his  economical  efforts,  and 
that  I  was  the  member  to  place  on  that  Committee.  The  change  was 
made.  I  felt  it  a  high  compliment:  but  you  will  from  this  gather, 
how  much  prostituted  were  members  of  Congress,  extending  to  the 
august  body  of  the  Senate,  who,  themselves  had  not  the  manly  virtue 
and  independence  to  resist  error,  but  who  required  a  check  from  their 
fellow  members  to  avoid  the  inevitable  ruin  to  which  we  were  driving. 

The  tendency  of  everything  in  the  government,  according  to  my 
opinion,  was  toward  ruin.  The  picture  presented  to  my  mind  every 
day  was  sad.  The  whole  soul  of  a  large  number,  was  absorbed  in 
schemes  and  arrangements  to  secure  themselves  in  power:  and  one 
election  was  just  over  when  plans  for  another,  to  secure  success,  were 
projected.  My  party  were  in  a  majority,  and  of  course  responsible, 
as  a  party,  to  the  people  for  a  proper  administration  of  public  affairs : 
and  there  I  found  myself  bearing  the  responsibility  without  the  slightest 
means  to  correct  mal-administration ;  and  no  prospect  for  the  better, 
in  the  future :  because  this  state  of  things  was  increasing  and  becoming 
firmly  fixed  so  far  as  I  could  see  or  hope.  I  would  not  have  you  believe 
there  were  no  exceptions,  among  our  public  men,  to  this  general  deterior- 
ation. It  gratifies  me  to  say,  I  found  many,  but  they  were,  like  me, 
powerless  for  good.  I  would  not  be  guilty  of  the  affectation  and  vanity 
of  stating  to  you  that  I  was  not  often  misled  by  these  evil  influences, 
and  therefore  did  not  indulge  in  error:  but  my  general  course,  I  am 
sure,  was  dictated  by  an  elevated  desire  to  act  for  the  good  of  the 
Country  and  to  resist  every  corrupting  influence.  The  experience  of 
my  Senatorial  course,  ending  in  1858,  forced  the  conviction  upon  my 
mind  that  the  government  of  the  United  States  was  becoming  thoroughly 
corrupt,  and  that  in  a  few  years  it  would  fall  to  pieces  by  its  own  cor- 
ruption and  I  so  expressed  myself  to  my  friends. 

When  I  went  to  the  Senate  Mr.  Pierce  was  President.  His  general 
measures  of  administration  met  my  cordial  support.  During  my  term 
he  retired  and  I  witnessed  the  inauguration  of  Mr.  Buchanan;  and  his 
administration  generally  met  my  approbation  while  I  remained  in  the 
Senate;  but  his  subsequent  course  in  relation  to  secession  I  emphati- 
cally condemn. 

It  is  as  well  to  note  here  that  I  visited  home  at  Christmas  1855  and 
carried  with  me  on  my  return  to  Washington  City  all  the  family — 
where  we  resided  until  the  adjournment  of  Congress  in  the  Summer  of 
1856.  During  the  next  Session,  being  the  short  Session,  the  family, 
with  the  exception  of  Lucy,  remained  at  home.     She  accompanied  me 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  23 

to  Washington.  In  January  1858,  the  family  again  removed  to  Wash- 
ington and  remained  until  the  Spring  of  that  year.  Part  of  the  time 
we  resided  at  the  Capital  we  hoarded,  hut  a  portion  of  the  time  kept 
house  in  furnished  lodgings  which  I  rented  by  the  month. 

The  gayety,  extravagance  and  society  of  the  Metropolis,  was  unsuited 
to  me ;  and  soon  after  first  reaching  there  I  sought  Christian  association 
and  conversation,  more  congenial  to  my  feelings,  when  relieved  from 
the  cares  and  perplexities  of  my  public  station.  I  attended  divine 
worship  of  different  societies ;  but  at  length  I  met  with  a  few  Old  School 
Baptists  and  attended  the  preaching  of  the  word  by  Elder  Wm.  J. 
Purington,  in  a  delapidated  house  in  an  obscure  part  of  the  City;  and 
here  I  enjoyed  more  real  pleasure  than  in  the  magnificent  temples  which 
decorated  the  city. 

UMTED  STATES  DISTRICT  JUDGE 

In  the  winter  of  1857-58  Judge  Potter,  the  District  Judge  of  the 
United  States  for  Worth  Carolina,  died :  having  held  the  office  for 
upward  of  50  years.  It  was  a  station  desirable  to  me,  as  honorable; 
and  consistent  with  my  former  habits  of  life,  I  preferred  being  relieved 
from  the  irksome  position  I  occupied,  though,  it  certainly  was  one  of 
the  most  distinguished  in  the  Country.  I  expressed  these  feelings  to 
some  of  my  friends,  and  after  the  disposal  of  some  important  business 
then  pending  in  the  Senate,  in  May  1858,  I  was  nominated,  by  President 
Buchanan,  as  Judge,  and  confirmed  unanimously  by  the  Senate;  and 
thereupon  I  resigned  my  seat  as  a  Senator  from  North  Carolina  when 
about  half  of  the  term  for  which  I  was  elected  was  unexpired.  In  this 
case,  as  heretofore,  I  made  no  personal  solicitation  for  the  office,  and 
took  no  steps  to  secure  it ;  but  it  being  offered,  with  profound  gratitude 
to  my  State  for  my  elevation  to  the  Senate  and  for  the  constancy  and 
fidelity  with  which  I  was  encouraged  by  a  large  number  of  admiring 
Constituents,  yet  with  a  decided  conviction  that  I  could  be  more  useful 
in  this  sphere,  or  at  least  could  pass  down  the  current  of  life  more 
gently,  giving  place  to  some  more  talented  and  faithful  statesman  in  the 
distinguished  arena  of  the  Senate,  I  left  public  life  with  pleasure ;  and, 
although  I  parted  reluctantly  with  many  valued  friends,  I  retired  to 
the  judicial  bench,  without  regret. 

In  consequence  of  my  mental  anxiety  and  the  turmoil  and  irregularity 
of  the  life  I  was  compelled  to  live,  it  seriously  impaired  my  physical 
powers.  I  reduced  very  much  in  flesh,  and  on  my  return,  my  friends  at 
home  looked  at  me  with  astonishment;  but  resuming  the  comparative 
quiet  of  my  former  life,  and  again  adopting  my  regular  habits  I  soon 
recuperated  and  was  prepared  for  labor. 


24  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

The  duties  of  ray  office  required  a  course  of  reading  essentially  differ- 
ing from  any  former  course,  and  I  sat  to  work  diligently  to  qualify 
myself  for  the  responsible  duties  of  United  States  Judge.  The  District 
Courts  were  held  twice  a  year  at  Edenton,  Newbern  and  Wilmington 
and  the  Circuit  Court  once  a  year  at  Raleigh.  At  the  latter  Court 
the  Presiding  Judge  was  an  Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  United  States  when  attending  and  Judge  Wayne  was  assigned  to 
my  circuit.  For  many  years  in  consequence  of  the  age  and  imbecility 
of  Judge  Potter,  the  Courts  had  become  formal  farces.  I  reorganized 
them,  adopted  necessary  rules  to  render  them  efficient,  and  prepared  to 
make  the  District  Courts  useful.  I  held  also  the  Circuit  Court  unaided 
until  ISTov.  1860  when  for  the  first  and  last  time  Judge  Wayne  presided. 

Having  had  some  correspondence  with  him  I  ascertained  before  we 
met,  that  he  positively  denied  the  right  of  a  State  to  secede  from  the 
Union  and  as  Lincoln  had  been  elected  President,  and  the  excitement 
in  the  South  was  great  it  was  not  improbable  that  this  might  become 
a  practical  question  and  require  the  decision  of  the  Judiciary.  I  sup- 
posed if  it  were  to  arise  at  that  term  it  could  only  be  made  in  his  ad- 
dress and  charge  to  the  Grand  Jury;  and  as  I  entertained  a  decidedly 
different  opinion  on  the  subject,  I  prepared  in  writing  the  conclusion 
of  my  judgment,  to  be  used  if  occasion  called  for  it.  He  however, 
charged  the  jury  without  alluding  to  the  subject,  but  I  will  here  tran- 
scribe what  I  intended  to  say,  for  preservation,  and  to  show  my  position 
at  that  time. 

The  following  was  prepared  to  be  delivered  in  case  Judge  Wayne  was 
not  present  or  in  case,  if  he  were  present  I  should  charge  the  jury : 

"Treason  against  the  United  States,  consists  in  levying  war  against  them, 
on  in  adhering  to  their  enemies,  giving  them  aid  and  comfort.  The  Consti- 
tution provides,  that  no  person  shall  be  convicted  of  treason  unless  on  the 
testimony  of  two  witnesses  to  the  same  overt  act,  or  on  confession  in  open 
Court.  An  act  of  Congress  passed  in  1790  provides,  that  if  any  person  owing 
allegiance  to  the  United  States  of  America,  shall  levy  war  against  them,  or 
shall  adhere  to  their  enemies,  giving  them  aid  and  comfort,  within  the  United 
States  or  elsewhere  and  shall  be  convicted  on  confession  in  open  Court,  or 
on  the  testimony  of  two  witnesses  to  the  same  overt  act  of  treason,  whereof 
he  shall  stand  indicted,  he  shall  suffer  death.  And  it  is  a  high  misdemeanor 
by  the  same  act,  for  any  person  having  knowledge  of  treason,  to  concede  the 
matter,  or  not  to  disclose  it  to  the  public  authorities.  These  are  offenses 
against  the  United  States  and  cognizable  in  the  Courts  of  the  United  States 
only.  But  it  is  also  true  that  Treason  may  be  committed  against  the  State 
government,  forming  a  State  offense  cognizable  in  a  State  Court  and  punish- 
able by  State  authority.  A  period  may  arrive  in  the  history  of  our  Country, 
when  it  may  be  proper  and  necessary  to  consider  and  decide  the  appalling 
question,  whether  a  citizen  owing  allegiance  to  the  United  States,  by  render- 
ing obedience  to  the  commands  of  the  Sovereign  authority  in  his  own  State, 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  25 

after  the  State  has  solemnly  decided  to  separate  herself  from  the  Union. 
[Sentence  not  completed.]  It  would  however  be  premature  in  the  Judiciary 
to  prejudge  that  important  question,  yet  undecided  by  the  Courts;  and  it  being 
yet  a  political  question  (about  which  however  I  entertain  a  decided  impres- 
sion) I  deem  it  improper  now  judicially  to  express  or  intimate  what  my  opin- 
ion is. 

"It  is  fervently  hoped  by  me  that  the  alarming  circumstances  now  sur- 
rounding us  may  be  so  overruled  as  to  render  unnecessary  the  decision  of 
this  question.  But  if  unfortunately  a  decision  shall  be  forced  from  the  Courts, 
I  trust  they  will  exhibit  the  same  firmness  and  wisdom  that  have  marked  the 
course  of  the  judiciary  in  many  trying  periods  of  our  history." 

The  following  was  prepared  to  deliver  in  case  Judge  Wayne  should 
express  an  opinion  differing  from  mine: 

"With  deep  regret  I  am  compelled  to  differ  with  my  associate,  the  Presiding 
Judge  of  this  Court.  On  ordinary  questions  I  should  feel  disposed  to  defer  to 
the  greater  experience  and  wisdom  of  my  associate  as  it  is  very  desirable 
when  practicable  that  there  should  be  a  concurrence  of  opinion  among  Judges, 
so  as  to  give  the  decisions  of  the  Courts  greater  weight.  But  now  I  am 
forced  to  express  an  opinion,  upon  a  question  of  the  gravest  character  without 
argument  and  without  the  judgment  of  a  Superior  tribunal;  although  I  am 
free  to  say,  it  is  a  question  that  has  occupied  much  of  my  consideration,  and 
particularly  within  the  last  few  months.  It  is  an  extraordinary  occasion, 
and  I  feel  the  full  force  of  my  responsibility.  I  have  heretofore  said,  in  my 
opinion,  it  is  premature  in  the  Judiciary,  considering  the  gravity  of  the 
question,  to  prejudge  it,  by  expressing  an  opinion  in  advance  of  a  judicial 
case  arising  in  which  the  light  of  argument  may  greatly  assist  in  forming  a 
correct  opinion.  And  I  the  more  regret  this  conflict  of  opinion,  because  it 
occurs  when  my  associate  and  myself  meet  for  the  first  time  to  cooperate  in 
the  discharge  of  our  official  duties,  and  at  a  time  of  great  political  excitement 
in  the  Country  upon  the  very  question  now  brought  up. 

"I  am  well  aware  that  the  right  of  State  Secession  from  this  Union,  has 
been  for  a  long  time  a  controverted  question,  upon  which  Statesmen  and  the 
brightest  intellects  of  the  Country  have  entertained  opposite  opinions;  and 
therefore  I  might  well  hesitate  as  a  judicial  officer,  in  volunteering  an  opinion, 
until  a  case  is  made  which  rendered  it  necessary  to  pronounce  my  judgment. 
But  no  alternative  is  now  left  me  and  I  will  not  shrink  from  the  expression 
of  my  opinion,  forced  upon  me  as  it  is:  because  by  remaining  silent  now  I 
should  tacitly  adopt  the  opinion  of  my  associate.  Perhaps  also  I  am  in  error 
in  concluding  it  is  improper  to  withhold  the  opinion  of  the  Court  from  the 
Grand  Jury  charged  with  an  enquiry  into  all  violations  of  the  criminal  laws 
of  the  United  States  as  the  question  involves  a  violation  of  criminal  law. 

"I  hold  therefore  that  the  States,  in  forming  the  Federal  government  acted 
separately  as  equals  and  sovereigns,  with  no  common  Superior,  and  that  the 
first  duty  and  obligation  of  the  citizen  was  due  to  his  State;  and  upon  the 
adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  by  his  State,  this  duty  and 
obligation  is  no  less  due  to  the  United  States,  but  because  it  is  at  the  com- 
mand and  clothed  with  the  sovereign  authority  of  his  State.  That  the  citizen 
while  his  State  remains  a  member  of  the  Federal  Union  must  conform  to  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States  and  the  Constitutional  laws  of  the  Federal 


26  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

government,  although  they  conflict  with  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  his 
State;  and  where  there  is  a  conflict  of  opinion  as  to  what  laws  are  constitu- 
tional, the  proper  tribunal  to  decide  that  question  is  the  Supreme  Judiciary 
of  the  United  States.  The  question  being  thus  decided,  it  is  the  duty  of  the 
citizen  to  acquiesce  in,  and  maintain  that  decision. 

"But  whenever  any  State  in  her  Sovereign  capacity  (and  I  mean  by  that, 
the  people  of  a  State  duly  and  legally  assembled  in  a  convention  by  the 
proper  authority,  with  the  same  formalities  and  regularity  as  conventions 
were  held  to  ratify  and  adopt  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  origi- 
nally) shall  solemnly  so  decide  she  has  the  right  for  sufficient  cause  (of 
which  she  must  be  the  judge,  as  upon  her  alone  rests  the  heavy  responsibility 
for  such  a  fearful  act)  to  voluntarily  and  peaceably  secede  from  the  Union, 
which  she  voluntarily  entered:  and  thereupon,  a  citizen  of  such  State  is 
absolved  from  his  allegiance  to  the  United  States,  and  will  not  be  guilty  of 
treason  to  the  United  States  for  obeying  the  commands  and  maintaining  the 
laws  of  his  own  State. 

"This  is  my  decided  judgment  now,  formed  after  much  reflection  upon  the 
theory  of  our  government,  and  the  history  of  the  day  in  which  the  Federal 
Government,  was  created;  and  in  my  humble  judgment,  in  the  language  of  one 
of  North  Carolina's  most  cherished  sons,  (the  late  Mr.  [Nathaniel]  Macon) 
'this  right  is  the  best  guard  to  public  liberty  and  to  public  justice  that  could 
be  desired';  and  if,  generally  or  universally  admitted,  is  the  best  Security  for 
the  permanency  and  perpetuity  of  the  Union. 

"I  cannot  now,  and  therefore  do  not  propose  to  allude  to  the  arguments  for 
and  against  this  right;  and  it  is  with  entire  deference,  I  declare  my  opinion 
on  this  grave  subject;  but  I  repeat  no  alternative  is  now  left  me,  and  I  there- 
fore respectfully  but  firmly  announce  this  conclusion  as  the  firm  conviction 
of  my  best  judgment." 

SECESSION 

I  will  retrospect  a  little.  The  Democratic  party  in  1860  were  divided 
greatly  in  their  preferences  of  men  for  the  Presidency,  and  there  was  a 
conflict  of  opinion  as  to  the  course  to  he  adopted  in  creating  territorial 
government;  some  in  favor,  and  others  opposed  to  what  was  called 
"Squatter  Sovereignity."  The  opposition,  then  organized  in  a  party, 
called  themselves  "Republicans"  (a  desecration  of  that  old  party  name) 
claimed  the  right  of  Congress,  to  prohibit  slavery  in  the  Territories,  and 
to  legislate  for  them;  and  avowed  their  determination  to  do  so  if  they 
obtained  the  power. 

The  Democratic  Convention  assembled  at  Charleston  in  the  spring  of 
1860,  to  nominate  a  candidate.  There  was  a  failure  to  nominate.  The 
Convention  adjourned  to  meet  in  Baltimore  early  in  the  Summer.  There 
was  great  excitement  through  the  Country.  Although  removed  from 
political  life,  I  felt  a  deep  interest  in  the  alarming  state  of  public  affairs. 
All  the  old  political  organizations  had  dissolved,  except  the  Democratic 
party,  and  I  was  convinced  that  upon  the  disruption  of  that  party,  as 
the  country  was  then  situated,  there  was  a  virtual  dissolution  of  the 
Union.     I  felt  an  earnest  desire  to  save  the  Union,  if  the  rights  of  the 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  27 

South  and  the  States,  could  be  preserved.  I  cannot  better  illustrate  my 
position,  than  giving  the  substance  of  a  conversation  I  had,  when  I 
was  a  Senator,  with  Mr.  [Lawrence  M.]  Keitt  of  S.  C.  a  member  of 
the  House.  He  expressed  a  confident  opinion,  that  we  could  live  no 
longer  in  harmony  with  the  Yankees;  and  he  was  then  in  favor  of  a 
dissolution  of  the  Union,  and  insisted  upon  a  course  of  action  on  some 
pending  question  to  which  I  dissented.  I  remarked,  that  I  felt  as 
determined  to  maintain  our  rights  as  he  could  possibly  be;  but  the 
difference  between  me  and  him  was  we  were  governed  by  different  mo- 
tives of  action — he  thought  dissolution  desirable — I  did  not  think  so — he 
would  shape  his  course  to  attain  that  result — and  I  would  do  all  I 
could,  consistent  with  our  rights  and  honor,  to  avoid  what  I  should 
consider  a  sad  calamity. 

After  the  adjournment  at  Charleston,  and  before  the  meeting  in  Balti- 
more, I  visited  Washington  to  inform  myself  personally  of  the  prospect 
for  the  future;  and  while  there,  I  had  full  and  free  conference  with 
many  distinguished  public  men.  The  aspect  of  affairs  then  has  been 
verified  too  truly  by  subsequent  events.  I  called  upon  Gen.  Cass,  then 
Secretary  of  State,  and  our  conversation  made  a  deep  impression  upon 
my  mind.  He  remarked  that  things  "were  sadly  out  of  joint.  It  seemed 
that  the  people  were  demented.  My  section,"  said  he,  "appeared  to  have 
run  wild.  Altho'  I  have  been  identified  with  my  State  for  forty  years, 
I  do  not  suppose,  upon  my  return  home,  I  could  be  elected  a  constable : 
and  recently  a  gentleman  from  your  section  expressed  to  me  a  hope  that 
the  union  might  be  dissolved.  My  conclusion  is,  if  this  calamity  is  not 
avoided,  these  States  in  a  short  time,  will  be  cut  up  into  three  or  four 
independent  republics,  warring  against  each  other.  I  am  now  number- 
ing my  days,  and  cannot  hope  to  remain  here  much  longer,  if  I  shall  be 
able  to  get  through  with  the  duties  of  my  present  office,  and  I  trust  I 
shall  -pass  away  before  this  said  event  happens."  Neither  of  us  could 
realize  that  the  catastrophe  was  so  near  at  hand;  although  the  fore- 
bodings were  then  significant,  Mr.  Cass  then  agreeing  with  me  that  a 
disruption  of  the  Democratic  party  seriously  threatened  such  a  result. 
A  dissolution  of  the  Union  was  the  inevitable  effect  of  a  false  religion,  a 
fanatic  philanthropy,  a  disregard  of  plighted  political  faith,  and  the 
non-observance  of  rights  secured  by  the  Constitution  by  which  every 
State  was  guaranteed  equality,  notwithstanding  their  domestic  institu- 
tions, and  the  consequent  estrangement  from  the  Union,  of  the  affections 
of  a  section  of  the  country,  it  being  manifest  that  this  Union  had 
become  their  oppressor  instead  of  their  defender.  The  election  of  Mr. 
Lincoln  as  a  sectional  candidate,  with  his  avowed  principles  of  abolition 
and  the  supremacy  of  Congressional  legislation,  totally  subversive  of  the 


28  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

rights  of  the  States,  was  the  climax  of  endurance;  and  a  separation 
followed,  first  of  the  Gulf  States  and  upon  the  issuing  of  his  infamous 
proclamation  of  April  1861,  intended  to  coerce  the  States  into  submis- 
sion, Virginia,  North  Carolina  and  other  States  ranged  themselves  with 
their  Southern  Sisters  in  resistance. 

The  Legislature  of  ISTorth  Carolina,  in  February  1861,  submitted  the 
question  of  a  State  Convention  to  the  votes  of  the  people,  providing  that 
in  case  a  majority  should  so  decide,  it  was  to  assemble  immediately,  and 
delegates  were  elected  at  the  same  time  a  vote  was  taken  on  the  conven- 
tion question.  At  this  election  Martin  County  voted  for  a  Convention 
and  Elder  C.  B.  Hassell  was  elected  the  delegate  from  that  County.  A 
majority  in  the  State  however  (though  small)  voted  against  a  Conven- 
tion, and  North  Carolina  therefore  for  the  present  decided  to  remain 
in  the  Union.17  I  was  decided  [ly]  in  favor  of  a  Convention  to  deliberate 
as  to  the  course  the  State  ought  to  take.  I  retained  my  office,  because 
I  deemed  it  imprudent  to  resign  it  until  the  State  seceded,  or  such  con- 
trolling circumstances  occurred  as  to  induce  me  to  conclude  that  it  could 
be  no  longer  held  with  honor  and  consistent  with  the  duty  I  owed  to  my 
State.  To  show  you  however  my  feelings  and  opinions  before  the 
proclamation  was  issued,  I  transcribe  here  some  propositions  I  reduced 
to  writing  at  that  period. 

1.  I  unequivocally  admit  the  right  of  a  State  to  secede  from  the 
Union,  and  thereafter,  I  deny  that  the  United  States  government  has 
any  power  or  authority  within  the  jurisdictional  limits  of  such  State. 

2.  If  the  United  States  government  attempts  to  coerce  a  seceding 
State,  I  think  this  a  sufficient  cause  for  North  Carolina  to  immediately 
secede  from  the  Union  and  unite  her  destiny  and  resources  with  the 
seceding  States. 

3.  As  the  Union  is  now  dissolved  by  the  withdrawal  of  several  states, 
I  consider  it  important  that  the  whole  of  the  Southern  States  should 
act  unitedly  and  harmoniously,  as  the  only  means  to  avert  civil  war. 

4.  At  present  I  cannot  see  a  probability  of  living  in  harmony,  with 
any  of  the  non  slaveholding  States ;  but  if  a  Union  can  be  reconstructed 
by  which  the  guarantees  contemplated  by  Mr.  Crittenden's  resolutions, 
can  be  obtained,  then  I  am  for  a  reconstruction  upon  those  resolutions 
as  a  basis. 

5.  If  that  is  found  impracticable,  then  I  am  for  secession  of  ISTorth 
Carolina  and  cooperation  with  such  of  the  Southern  States  as  may 
agree  to  form  a  Southern  Confederacy,  and  I  am  utterly  opposed  to  a 
Union  of  a  Central  Confederacy  of  the  border  slaveholding  and  non 
slaveholding  States,  and  thereby  cutting  loose  from  the  Gulf  States. 


"The  vote  of  Martin   County  was:      For   Convention,    662;    against   Convention,    22.     The 
vote  of  the  State  was:     For  Convention,  46,672;  against  Convention,  47,333. 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  29 

6.  I  will  not  be  pledeged  to  any  particular  course  of  action,  except 
as  indicated  in  the  above  propositions  and  conclusions,  intending  bow- 
ever  to  exercise  my  best  judgment  to  maintain  the  institution  of  domestic 
slavery,  and  desiring  to  that  end  the  cooperation  of  all  the  Southern 
States. 

Stirring  events  succeeded  each  other  rapidly.  A  failure  by  the  Peace 
Congress  to  settle  difficulties  was  followed  by  the  Proclamation  of  April 
1861 ;  and  thereupon  I  determined  no  longer  to  hold  office  in  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  and  prepared,  and  immediately  transmitted 
my  resignation ;  a  copy  of  which  I  here  transcribe. 

Williamston,   N.   C.,  April   23,   1861. 
To  Abraham  Lincoln, 

President  of  the  United  States. 
Sib: — I  hereby  resign  my  office  of  District  Judge  of  the  United  States  for 
the  District  of  North  Carolina,  being  unwilling  longer  to  hold  a  commission 
in  a  Government  which  has  degenerated  into  a  military  despotism.     I  sub- 
scribe myself  yet  a  friend  of  constitutional  liberty.  Asa  Biggs. 

I  thereby  cut  myself  loose  from  all  official  connexion  with  the  Govern- 
ment, and  took  my  stand  as  a  private  citizen  of  the  State,  and  advised 
and  acted  as  the  convictions  of  my  judgment  dictated.  Another 
Convention  was  called,  to  convent  on  20th  May  1861,  and  an  election 
of  delegates  was  ordered  on  13th.  My  name  was  placed  before  the 
people  of  Martin  as  a  delegate,  and  I  was  elected  with  but  little  show 
of  opposition.  And  now,  my  hoped  for  quiet  is  disturbed.  I  am  again 
forced  into  the  Stormy  arena,  at  an  awful  crisis  of  my  country's  history. 
I  did  not  hesitate.  I  encouraged  the  formation  of  military  companies — 
assisted  in,  and  promoted  their  equipment  and  supplies,  and  urged  upon 
all,  to  defend  the  legacy  of  our  ancestors — the  right  of  self  government — 
to  the  last  extremity.  The  County  of  Martin  furnished  immediately 
two  volunteer  companies,  commanded  by  Capts.  Lamb  and  Clements, 
and  subscribed  several  thousand  dollars  to  furnish  equipment  and  sup- 
plies; and  the  company  commanded  by  Capt.  Lamb  left  the  wharf  at 
Williamston  for  the  defense  of  the  coast  of  North  Carolina  on  20th  May 
1861 — the  day  that  the  State  formally  seceded  from  the  Union. 

I  took  my  seat  as  a  member  of  the  State  Convention  at  Raleigh  on 
20  May  1861,  and  so  united  and  harmonious  was  public  sentiment  then, 
that  before  the  close  of  that  day,  an  ordinance  of  secession  unanimously 
passed,  separating  the  State  from  the  Union  and  declaring  our  determi- 
nation to  assert  the  right  of  self  government — a  right  inestimable  to 
freemen  and  formidable  to  tyrants  only.  When  I  recur  to  the  scenes  of 
that  day,  my  heart  exults  with  pride  at  the  proud  position  my  native 
State  then  assumed:  and  I  can  but  regret  that  any  thing  has  since  oc- 


30  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

curred,  to  cast  a  reflection  upon  the  patriotism  of  any  portion  of  my 
fellow  citizens  :  but  candor  and  truthfulness  require  one  to  say  that  many, 
then  voting  for  secession,  have  since  greatly  embarrassed  our  efforts  to 
sustain  the  position  then  taken.  In  a  few  days,  the  State  became  a 
member  of  the  Provisional  Government  of  the  Confederate  States  of 
America  and  elected  delegates  to  represent  the  State  in  Congress; 
and  for  weal  or  woe,  identified  herself  with  the  Southern  Confederacy, 
by  subsequently  adopting  the  Constitution  of  the  Confederate  States. 

I  was  laboriously  engaged  in  the  Convention  as  long  as  I  remained 
a  member,  being  placed  on  the  most  important  Committees,-  by  the  ap- 
pointment of  Mr.  Weldon  1ST.  Edward,  the  venerable  President.  What- 
ever may  be  the  criticism  on  my  course  in  that  body,  I  will  say  that  I 
never  proposed  or  urged  any  measure,  that  I  did  not  hope  and  believe 
would  promote  harmony  in  the  maintenance  of  our  cause — being  deeply 
impressed  with  the  conviction  that  our  success  depended  upon  our  unity. 

CONFEDERATE  STATES  DISTRICT  JUDGE 

On  17th  June  1861,  I  was  appointed  by  Jefferson  Davis,  President 
of  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  during  the  Provisional  Govern- 
ment of  the  Confederate  States,  Judge  of  the  District  Court  for  the 
District  of  North  Carolina ;  and  this  appointment  was  confirmed  by  the 
advise  and  consent  of  the  Congress,  and  a  commission  was  sent  to  me 
dated  13th  August  1861.  Upon  the  formation  of  the  Permanent  Gov- 
ernment of  the  Confederate  States  under  the  permanent  Constitution, 
I  was  appointed  by  President  Davis,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  con- 
sent of  the  Senate,  Judge  of  the  Court  aforesaid;  and  my  commission 
furnished  me  is  dated  on  15th  April  1862,  and  I  took  the  oath  of  office 
before  Judge  [P.  P.]  Heath  of  the  Superior  Court  Bench  of  ISTorth 
Carolina  on  27th  May  1862. 

The  Convention  had  several  recesses,  one  or  two  while  I  was  a  mem- 
ber. I  continued  a  delegate  until  I  thought  it  was  time  the  Court  was 
organized,  and  that  my  attention  was  required  to  the  prize  cases  which 
were  accumulating  at  ISTewbern.  I  resigned  my  seat  in  the  winter  of 
1861-62  and  Mr.  D.  W.  Bagley  was  elected  my  successor.  Again  did  I 
retire  from  public  life,  and  since  then  I  have  been  discharging  the 
duties  of  Judge.  As  remarked  in  the  outset,  I  was  driven  with  my 
family  from  home,  by  the  enemy  in  Pebruary  1862,  and  have  been 
residing  at  this  place  since  Dec.  1863 ;  looking  on  with  the  deepest 
anxiety  at  the  struggle  which  has  been  progressing  for  four  years; 
with  an  abiding  belief  in  our  ultimate  success,  because  I  do  firmly  be- 
lieve our  cause  is  just.  Frequently,  however,  I  have  been  greatly  de- 
pressed in  spirits,  with  pain  and  grief  realizing  what  I  did  not  expect 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  31 

to  see  prevail  so  extensively  in  the  South — a  spirit  of  covetousness, 
selfishness,  extortion  and  avarice  that  induces  me  to  suppose  this  cruel 
war  is  still  to  be  prolonged,  until  a  just  and  merciful  God,  shall  humble 
our  people  more,  and  extirpate  the  distracting  and  fell  spirit  that  so 
generally  prevails.  .  How  any  patriot,  philanthropist,  or  Christian  can 
permit  himself  to  be  absorbed  in  making  a  fortune  out  of  the  miseries 
of  this  war,  is  past  my  comprehension !  How  men  of  standing  and 
wealth,  can  remain  at  home,  accumulating  their  thousands  and  millions, 
at  the  expense,  misery,  and  discomfort  of  the  families  of  those  brave 
and  gallant  soldiers,  who  are  protecting  our  rights  at  such  great  sacri- 
fices, is  but  another  evidence  of  the  ingratitude  and  depravity  of  poor, 
fallen,  human  nature!  How  any  Southerner,  not  deprived  of  his  man- 
hood, and  spirit  of  freedom,  can  be  willing  to  submit  to  the  insolent  foe 
who  demands  our  subjugation  at  his  feet,  with  his  heel  in  our  faces,  the 
confiscation  of  all  our  property,  with  the  ignominious  and  debased  con- 
dition of  becoming  the  slaves  of  slaves — is  to  me  distressingly  painful 
and  amazing! 

SONS  IN  CONFEDERATE  ARMY 

In  April  1861  my  son  William,  then  about  18  years  old,  and  in  his 
Junior  year,  was  at  school  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina  at 
Chapel  Hill.  Before  the  secession  of  the  State,  he  applied  to  me  for 
permission  to  join  a  company  who  proposed  to  tender  its  services  to 
Prest.  Davis.  I  declined  to  give  my  consent,  advising  him  to  apply 
himself  diligently  to  his  studies,  as  he  might  soon  be  deprived  of  any 
further  educational  advantages,  a  matter  of  vast  importance  to  him. 
The  students  however  became  so  much  excited,  that  college  exercises 
were  partially  suspended,  and  he  ventured  to  visit  home.  He  reached 
there  in  the  morning  of  the  day,  when  we  were,  engaged  in  forming  the 
volunteer  companies  in  the  County.  He  remained  in  the  house  but  a 
few  minutes,  and  asked  my  permission  to  attach  himself  to  one  of  the 
companies,  which  I  promptly  granted. 

He  was  elected  3d  Lieut,  of  Capt.  Lamb's  company  of  12  months 
Volunteers,  called  the  Roanoke  Guards,  and  started  with  that  company 
to  Cape  Hatteras  on  20th  May.  It  is  remarkable,  they  carried  no  guns, 
no  intrenching  tools,  and  for  weeks  were  stationed  on  the  bald  sea  beach 
without  any  means  of  defence.  In  August  1861,  the  garrison  at  Fort 
Hatteras  were  captured  by  the  enemy,  carried  as  prisoners  to  New  York, 
and  from  thence  to  Fort  Warren  in  Boston  harbor,  and  were  kept  for  8 
months  before  they  were  exchanged.  Upon  a  reorganization  of  the 
company,  William  was  elected  1st  Lieut.  Subsequently  promoted  to  the 
Captaincy  of  Company  A,  of  17th  Regiment  of  North  Carolina  Troops, 
and  attached  to  Martin's  Brigade;  in  which  capacity  he  has  been  serv- 


32  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

ing  ever  since.  The  Brigade  is  now  commanded  by  Genl.  Kirkland 
attached  to  Genl.  Hoke's  Division.  He  has  been  through  a  great  deal  of 
hard  service,  in  North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  and  engaged  in  several 
battles;  but  through  the  mercy  of  God  he  has  escaped  with  one  slight 
wound;  and  has  had  but  one  serious  spell  of  sickness,  thus  far.  Cer- 
tainly, we  have  cause  to  adore  the  superintending  and  preserving  Provi- 
dence of  our  kind  and  Heavenly  Father!18 

In  July  lS'M,  my  son  Henry  having  reached  the  age  of  17  years,  by 
my  consent,  attached  himself  to  Capt.  Manly's  Battery  of  Artillery  of 
Cabell's  Battalion,  stationed  between  Petersburg  and  Bichmond,  where 
he  has  been  serving  ever  since;  and  so  far  has  enjoyed  good  health.  He 
has  not  yet  been  engaged  in  a  battle. 

I  cheerfully  give  up  my  boys  to  the  service  of  my  Country,  though  the 
sacrifice  is  great.  I  would  consider  myself  and  my  family  disgraced,  if 
we  desired  to,  and  could  relieve  ourselves  from  a  participation  in  this 
great  conflict  for  our  liberty.  I  fervently  pray,  that  they  may  be  spared ; 
but  I  endeavor  to  make  myself  resigned  to  any  event :  with  faith,  that 
God  will  order  all  things  for  the  best,  and  that  out  of  this  bloody 
carnage,  some  great  good  is  to  be  accomplished. 

This  war  for  Independence  has  now  been  in  progress  for  more  than 
four  years,  with  varying  success.  And  such  a  gigantic  war  we  do  not 
read  of  in  modern  history !  The  sacrifice  of  human  life,  and  some  of 
the  most  worthy  of  the  Country,  is  great  and  painful:  and  the  end  of 
this  carnage  is  only  known  to  Almighty  God.  It  is  a  contest  on  our 
part  for  the  right  of  self  government — a  right  inestimable  to  us,  and 
which  we  cannot  surrender  without  dishonor.  Our  country  is  invaded 
by  those  who  demand  our  subjugation  and  submission  to  their  rule,  the 
utter  annihilation  of  our  personal  rights  and  our  rights  of  property,  the 
consequences  of  which  would  be  our  degradation  and  ruin. 

I  know  that  I  am  rapidly  passing  from  the  stage  of  action.  In  a 
few  short  years  the  place  that  now  knows  me  will  know  me  no  more 
forever:  but  I  feel  great  solicitude  that  you,  my  dear  children,  may  be 
permitted  to  enjoy  the  blessing  of  freedom  that  I  have  so  long  possessed. 
If  we  are  unsuccessful  I  shall  die  with  a  conviction,  that  you  and  my 
countrymen  will  become  the  most  degraded  people  upon  the  face  of  the 
earth.  If  we  are  successful  and  our  people,  as  I  hope  they  will,  learn, 
from  our  sad  experience,  the  errors  of  the  past,  reform  their  vices  and 
confess  their  sins  and  transgressions,  God  in  his  mercy  may  make  us  a" 
prosperous  and  happy  people. 

It  is  amazing  how  successful  we  have  been  in  resisting  the  enemy, 
with  our  limited  resources,  compared  with  our  foes.     It  is  evident  to  me 

18A  history  of  this  regiment  by  Second  Lieutenant  Wilson  Q.  Lamb,  Co.  F,  is  in  Clark, 
Walter  (ed.)  :     North  Carolina  Regiments,  1861-'65,  II,  2-13. 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  33 

that  the  Almighty  arm  has  been  interposed  in  our  behalf ;  and  this  gives 
me  confidence  that  He  will  yet  deliver  us.  But  we  are  a  sinful  nation 
I  am  compelled  to  confess ;  and  this  war  has  developed  a  spirit  of  covet- 
ousness,  extortion  and  a  greed  for  gain  in  the  Southern  Country  which 
I  did  not  expect  to  see.     It  is  poor,  fallen,  unregenerate  human  nature ! 

In  my  opinion  the  proximate  cause,  of  this  war  is  a  false  religion, 
an  anti-christian  spirit  which  I  think  will  be  punished  severely  by  a 
just  and  holy  God.  We  have  suffered  immensely  and  the  clouds  now 
look  lowering  and  the  prospect  is  exceedingly  gloomy,  but  God  knows 
all  things  and  what  is  best,  and  I  endeavor  to  be  calm  and  resigned  to 
His  holy  will. 

This  much  I  now  say  in  regard  to  the  pending  war.  Much  more  I 
could  write  on  this  all  absorbing  subject,  but  you  have  had  experience 
of  the  evils  of  the  times  as  well  as  myself ;  and  some  of  you  can  appre- 
ciate the  horrors,  anxieties  and  difficulties  of  the  past  four  years,  and  I 
pray  Heaven  that  you  may  never  have  such  painful  and  melancholy 
experience  for  another  four  years  of  your  lives.  I  have  been  driven 
from  my  own  home  twice  by  fear  of  being  captured  by  the  enemy,  and 
am  now  under  apprehensions  that  I  shall  be  compelled  to  leave  my 
family  again.  If  I  should  not  I  may  hereafter  continue  these  memoirs ; 
but  if  I  do,  it  is  probable,  this  will  be  the  last  I  shall  ever  write  in  this 
form  to  you,  and  I  therefore  commend  and  commit  you  to  God,  praying 
him  to  preserve  and  guide  you,  with  the  admonition  to  live  soberly, 
righteously  and  godly  in  this  present  evil  world. 


July  1,  1865. 
It  is  with  a  sad  and  heavy  heart  I  resume  these  memoirs.  Most  im- 
portant events  have  occurred,  the  consequences  of  which  I  cannot  foresee 
and  a  blow  has  fallen  upon  our  family  circle,  heart-rending  and  irre- 
parable. Our  country  is  subjugated  and  our  dear  boy  Henry  is  no  more 
— another  sacrifice  of  blood,  another  mournful  calamity  of  this  cruel  war. 
Genl.  Lee  evacuated  Petersburg  and  Richmond  about  1st  April  and  on 
9th  surrendered  his  army  to  Genl.  Grant  at  Appomattox  C.  H.  Va.  On 
8th  (Saturday)  late  in  the  afternoon  Manly's  Battery  was  attacked 
by  the  enemy  near  the  Court  House  and  Henry  was  wounded  in  the 
neck.  It  paralized  him,  rendered  him  speechless  and  lock  jaw  ensued. 
He  was  carried  to  a  poor  man's  house  by  the  name  of  Tyree  on  Sunday 
and  there  he  lingered  until  12th,  (Wednesday)  when  he  expired  about 
9  o'clock  P.  M.  and  was  buried  in  the  private  burial  ground  of  a  Mr. 
Overton  about  %  mile  from  Mr.  Tyree.  We  have  assurances  he  was 
well  cared  for  and  decently  interred.     He  was  the  only  member  of  the 


34  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

battery  that  we  could  hear  was  injured,  and  why  was  it  that  he  was 
permitted  to  fall  ?  Oh  God  thou  knowest !  What  a  bitter  pang !  We 
looked  anxiously  for  him  among  the  returning  soldiers ;  we  hoped 
to  see  him  hourly  make  his  appearance.  We  sought  diligently  to 
ascertain  his  situation,  until  we  were  informed  he  was  wounded.  A 
glimmer  of  hope  still  sustained  us  until  a  visit  of  William  to  the  place 
(about  10  miles  from  Appomattox  Court  House)  to  enquire  after  him, 
brought  us  the  certain  and  melancholy  truth  that  he  was  dead.  That 
awful  truth  sunk  our  hearts,  threw  a  gloom  over  the  household,  plunged 
us  into  the  deepest  grief,  and  night  and  day  has  his  dear  mother  mourned, 
the  loss  of  her  absent  boy  with  broken  lamentations !  Henry  was  a 
sprightly,  a  very  intelligent  youth,  energetic,  patriotic  and  hopeful,  a 
dutiful  and  promising  child:  and  we  had  hoped  for  him  a  long  life  of 
usefulness  to  the  family  and  to  the  country.  God  thought  best  to  re- 
move him  from  this  scene  of  strife  and  turmoil,  that  he  might  not  wit- 
ness the  subjugation  of  his  country:  and  I  humbly  trust  has  taken  him 
to  a  world  of  rest  and  peace.  We  bow !  O  God !  to  thy  righteous  will 
and  pray  that  this  great  affliction  may  be  sanctified  to  our  good.  Let  the 
thought  console  you,  my  dear  children,  that  he  died  in  the  defence  of 
his  country  in  the  path-way  of  duty.  May  you  all  discharge  your  duties 
with  the  same  fidelity  and  die  in  the  same  honorable  way.  Let  us  hum- 
bly submit  to  the  dispensation  of  a  righteous  Providence,  who  for  some 
wise  purpose  inscrutable  to  us,  has  removed  from  our  family  the.  loved 
one,  who  so  frequently  enlivened  our  home  circle  and  promised  so  much 
for  the  future.  It  teaches  us  among  other  lessons  that  the  young  also 
die  and  the  importance  of  being  prepared  for  that  change  whether  old 
or  young.  It  has  left  an  aching  void,  that  nothing  but  the  consolations 
of  God's  Spirit  can  supply  and  to  Him  I  commend  you  for  light  and 
comfort,  and  pray  that  He  may  sustain  and  support  us  in  this  our  day 
of  trial  and  grief. 

DOWNFALL  OF  THE  CONFEDERACY 

On  the  day  that  Henry  was  wounded  I  was  in  Ealeigh  to  visit  Wil- 
liam who  was  sick  in  the  hospital.  He  obtained  leave  of  absence  for  a 
week  to  come  home  and  recruit,  but  before  the  week  expired  Genl. 
Johnston  retreated,  Raleigh  was  occupied  by  the  enemy,  he  was  pre- 
vented from  joining  his  command  until  Genl.  Johnston  surrendered  his 
army  to  Genl.  Sherman  about  20th  April.  Subsequently,  as  we  hear, 
the  other  military  forces  of  the  Confederacy  surrendered,  and  thus  the 
Confederate  military  organization  was  disband  [ed]  and  the  enemy 
victorious.  The  President  of  the  Confederate  States,  Jefferson  Davis, 
and  many  other  prominent  Southern  officials  have  been  arrested  and  are 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  35 

now  in  prison.  In  one  short  month  our  government  terminated,  and 
we  are  placed  at  the  mercy  of  the  United  States  military  authorities. 
The  President,  Mr.  Lincoln,  was  assassinated  at  a  theatre  in  Washington 
City,  on  or  about  14th  April,  and  the  Vice  President,  Andrew  Johnson, 
is  now  the  President.  Mr.  Johnson  has  appointed  Mr.  Holden  provi- 
sional Governor  of  North  Carolina,  who  has  declared  all  the  civil  offices 
of  the  State  vacant  and  proposes  to  call  a  convention  to  reconstruct  the 
State  government.  The  military  have  declared  the  slaves  free,  and  still 
occupy  the  Capitol  and  important  positions  in  different  sections  of  the 
State :  so  that  all  is  chaos  and  nothing  definite  for  the  future.  This 
much  may  be  said  with  certainty  that  now,  to  all  intents  and  purposes, 
we  are  a  conquered  province,  held  and  governed  by  the  strong  arm  of 
military  power.  Mr.  P.  P.  Dick  has  been  appointed  United  States 
District  Judge  in  my  place.  I  expect  to  be  arrested  and  tried  for  treason 
and  all  my  property  confiscated  if  what  appears  to  be  the  intention  of 
the  reigning  authority  is  enforced.  It  is  useless  for  me  to  extend  this 
gloomy  picture.  It  darkens  as  it  expands,  and,  as  it  is  viewed  more 
closely.  And  yet,  the  Lord  reigneth !  and  I  believe  nothing  will  trans- 
pire but  what  He  permits,  and  therefore  with  confidence  I  leave  my  all 
to  Him-  and  conclude  this  hasty  resume  of  passing  events,  with  some 
probability,  that  I  may  not  soon,  if  ever,  continue  in  this  form,  any 
note  of  future  events. 

May  God  bless,  guide,  and  protect  you ! ! 


36  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 


LEE'S  FAREWELL  ADDRESS 


Head  Qrs.  Army  No.  Va.,  April  10th,  1865. 
General  Order  No.  9. 

After  four  years  of  arduous  service  marked  by  unsurpassed  courage 
and  fortitude,  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia  has  been  compelled  to 
yield  to  overwhelming  numbers  and  resources.  I  need  not  tell  the  brave 
survivors  of  so  many  hard  fought  battles,  who  have  remained  steadfast 
to  the  last,  that  I  consented  to  this  result,  not  from  any  distrust  of  them, 
but  feeling  that  valor  and  devotion  could  accomplish  nothing  that  would 
compensate  for  the  loss  that  must  have  attended  the  continuation  of  the 
contest,  I  determined  to  avoid  the  sacrifice  of  those  whose  past  services 
have  endeared  them  to  their  countrymen.  By  the  terms  of  agreement 
officers  and  men  can  return  to  their  homes  and  remain  until  exchanged. 

You  will  take  with  you  the  satisfaction  that  proceeds  from  the  con- 
sciousness of  duty  faithfully  performed,  and  I  earnestly  pray  that  a 
merciful  God  will  extend  to  you  his  blessing  and  protection. 

With  an  increasing  admiration  of  your  constancy  and  devotion  to 
your  country,  and  a  grateful  remembrance  of  your  kind  and  generous 
consideration  for  myself,  I  bid  you  all  an  affectionate  farewell. 

(Signed)     R.   E.  Lee, 

At  Appomatox  C.  H.,  Va.  General. 


19Copied  in  the  Scrap-Book  in  Judge  Biggs'  handwriting. 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  37 


THE  KANSAS  QUESTION 


From  the  Tarboro  Southerner  of  April  17,  1858. 
Letter  from  Hon.  Asa  Biggs — We  copy  below  from  the  Baltimore 
Republican  the  letter  of  the  Hon.  Asa  Biggs  of  this  State,  addressed  to 
the  Lecompton  meeting  recently  held  in  that  city.  This  letter  will  com- 
mend itself  to  the  reader  by  its  sound  practical  sense  and  by  the  clear 
and  correct  view  which  it  presents  of  the  present  condition  of  the  Kansas 
question.  The  Richmond  Enquirer  has  paid  Col.  Biggs  the  high  com- 
pliment of  copying  the  letter  [as]  embodying  in  the  clearest  and  best 
manner  its  own  views  on  this  absorbing  question. 

Senate  Chamber,  Washington,  March  3,  1858. 

Gentlemen: — I  cannot  conveniently  attend  the  mass  meeting  in  Baltimore 
to  which  I  am  kindly  invited  by  yours  of  20th  ultimo. 

The  object  of  the  meeting  I  cordially  approve.  President  Buchanan,  in 
my  opinion,  should  not  only  be  publicly  approved,  but  he  deserves  the  affec- 
tion of  the  people,  for  his  bold  and  patriotic  position,  in  the  face  of  an  unprin- 
cipled opposition  and  the  defection  of  some  Democrats  from  whom  he  had 
reason  to  expect  better  things.  I  candidly  confess  that  the  state  of  affairs 
in  Kansas  for  the  last  three  years,  has  not  given  me  a  very  exalted  opinion 
of  the  character  of  that  people  for  an  enlightened  self-government:  but  they 
partake  of  the  characteristics  generally  of  our  border  population,  who  drawn 
together  by  a  speculating  mania  and  a  desire  and  expectation  to  make  them- 
selves speedily  rich,  are  not  very  scrupulous  about  the  forms  of  law. 

But  what  have  we  in  the  Lecompton  constitution  under  which  it  is  proposed 
by  the  President  to  admit  Kansas?  It  is  a  constitution  emanating  from 
legal  authority  and  in  its  adoption  all  the  necessary  forms  of  law,  to  ascer- 
tain the  people's  will,  have  been  observed.  It  is  no  doubt  true  that  there 
have  been  fraud  and  violence  and  great  irregularities  in  the  action  of  all 
parties  in  Kansas:  and  suppose,  as  is  charged,  there  was  fraud,  at  the  Dela- 
ware crossing  or  other  precincts  yet  it  cannot  be  denied  that,  deducting  this 
and  all  other  fraudulent  votes  (as  they  ought  to  be  with  the  emphatic  con- 
demnation and  denunciation  of  all  honest  men)  still  there  is  an  overwhelming 
legal  majority  of  the  people  of  Kansas,  voting  for  delegates  and  approving 
the  Constitution.  If  however  it  be  admitted  that  a  majority  of  people  in 
the  Territory  refused  to  vote,  then  to  make  that  an  excuse  for  refusing  ad- 
mission is  to  encourage  faction  and  rebellion  against  lawful  authority. 

It  may  be  seriously  questioned  whether  we  do  not  make  a  dangerous  pre- 
cedent in  admitting  a  state  with  such  a  small  population:  but  upon  the 
whole  it  is  evident  to  my  mind,  that  the  contest  is  one  between  law  and  order 
and  faction  and  rebellion:  between  peace  and  agitation:  between  the  sup- 
porters of  the  Constitution  and  constitutional  rights  of  all  the  States  and 
those  disposed  to  stir  up  civil  strife  and  to  test  the  strength  of  the  Union 


2  "Copied  in  the  Scrap-Book  in  Judge  Biggs'  handwriting. 


38  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

for  political  aims  and  ends.  And,  in  the  language  of  the  President,  I  believe 
that  "the  speedy  admission  of  Kansas  into  the  Union  would  restore  peace  and 
quiet  to  the  whole  Country.  Already  the  affairs  of  this  Territory  have  en- 
grossed an  undue  proportion  of  public  attention.  They  have  sadly  affected 
the  friendly  relations  of  the  people  of  the  States  with  each  other,  and  alarmed 
the  fears  of  the  patriots  for  the  safety  of  the  Union.  Kansas  once  admitted 
into  the  Union,  the  excit[e]ment  becomes  localized  and  will  soon  die  away 
for  want  of  outside  aliment." 

It  is  palpable  that  in  the  admission  of  Kansas  the  South  only  obtains  the 
recognition  of  a  principle  what  can  never  be  surrendered  without  dishonor. 
It  cannot  be  admitted  that  if  the  leading  doctrine  of  the  opposition,  "No 
more  slaveholding  States  shall  ever  be  admitted  into  the  Union,"  be  practically 
enforced,  it  will  necessarily  work  a  dissolution  of  the  Union,  that  Union 
which  is  the  fondest  hope  of  the  patriot  here,  of  the  friend  of  free  institutions 
everywhere.  That  the  South  will  ever  consent  in  the  practical  administration 
of  this  government  to  admit  her  inequality  because  of  the  institution  of 
slavery  in  the  States,  is  to  suppose  her  greatly  degenerated  in  moral  instincts 
and  courage  and  totally  unworthy  of  political  [?]  association.  How  can  any 
honorable  man  calculate  that  she  would  tamely  submit  to  such  a  position  of 
inferiority,  which  would  humiliate  her  in  her  own  estimation  and  disgrace 
her  in  the  eyes  of  the  civilized  world?  Let  all  be  assured  that  the  most 
conciliatory  at  the  South  and  those  who  deprecate  a  dissolution  as  one  of  the 
greatest  calamities  that  could  befall  us  (of  whom  I  profess  to  be  one)  will 
never  yield  to  this  disgraceful  alternative.  I  do  not  thus  write  in  a  spirit 
of  idle  alarm.  The  breach  between  the  extremes  is  wide.  An  estrangement 
of  feeling  begins  to  develop  itself  among  the  most  prudent  and  moderate, 
North  and  South,  and  it  becomes  important  for  them  now  to  understand  each 
other  distinctly;  calmly  to  survey  the  tendency  of  things,  that  they  may  act 
together  promptly  and  efficiently  to  avert  the  catastrophe  which  threatens 
us,  and  which  it  is  idle  and  criminal  to  treat  with  derision.  Could  we  in- 
terrogate the  leaders  of  the  opposition  and  obtain  a  candid  answer  would  they 
not  promptly  respond:  "If  the  constitution  of  the  United  States  were  now 
for  the  first  time  to  be  formed,  I  would  never  consent  to  insert  certain  pro- 
visions therein  contained,  touching  the  question  of  slavery,  and  I  would 
insist  upon  other  provisions,  which  would  secure  the  entire  extinction  of 
slavery  in  the  State."  If  they  would  not  make  such  an  avowal,  then  their 
present  professions  are  hypocritical  and  insincere;  and  if  avowed  does  it 
not  incontestably  establish,  that  their  opposition  is  not  merely  to  the  tolera- 
tion of  slavery  in  the  territories  but  that  they  are  radically  opposed  to  the 
Constitution  itself.  And  will  Northern  men  professing  to  be  Democrats  give 
sanction  to  such  sentiments,  and  encouragement  to  such  a  party?  And  yet 
with  pain  do  I  witness  daily  this  tendency  in  a  few — one  at  least  heretofore 
looked  to  and  relied  upon  as  a  rampart  (as  we  had  hoped)  prepared  and 
designed  to  protect  the  sacred  chart  of  our  liberties,  and  stay  the  wild  tide  of 
fanaticism  which  threatened  the  stability  of  the  Union. 21  But  if  personal 
disappointment  and  chagrin  or  experiments  for  political  promotion  seduce 
many,  we  may  congratulate  ourselves  that  in  the  President  we  have  one,  who 
with  Roman  firmness,  will  not  permit  the  State  and  Constitution  to  suffer 
detriment  under  his  administration. 


"Probably  a  reference  to  Stephen  A.  Douglaa. 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  39 

You  do  well  therefore,  gentlemen,  as  you  propose,  publicly  to  hold  up  the 
hand  of  the  President:  to  approve  and  defend  his  course,  the  just  and  grateful 
reward  of  a  faithful  public  servant. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully 
Your  obedient  servant 

Asa  Biggs 
Mess.  B.  H.  Richardson,  B.  C.  Presstman,  and 
J.  J.  Graves,  Committee  of  Invitation. 
Baltimore 


40  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 


RESIGNATION  FROM  THE  SENATE22 


From  the  Tarboro  Southerner  of  15  May,  1858. 

Hon.  Asa  Biggs.  We  publish  below  a  letter  from  Mr.  Biggs,  addressed 
to  the  people  of  North  Carolina  in  which  he  informs  them  of  his  resig- 
nation of  the  office  of  Senator  and  returns  his  thanks  for  honors  hereto- 
fore conferred  upon  him.  The  people  of  the  State  have  never  had  a 
more  faithful  or  conscientious  public  servant  than  Asa  Biggs.  He  goes 
now  from  political  service  to  a  more  quiet  position  but  one  in  which  his 
usefulness  will  still  be  widely  felt  and  appreciated.  The  following  is 
his  letter. — Standard. 

To  the  People  of  'North  Carolina. 

In  resigning,  as  I  have,  the  elevated  position  of  Senator  of  the  United 
States  I  cannot  sever  the  relation  of  representative  and  Constituent,  without 
expressing  my  feelings  of  gratitude  for  the  high  confidence  reposed  in  me  by 
you:  and  whatever  position  I  may  hereafter  occupy,  I  shall  always  remember 
and  acknowledge  with  great  sensibility  the  kind  partiality  of  those  generous 
friends,  who  placed  me  in  one  of  the  highest,  most  dignified  and  responsible 
offices  in  the  world.  My  resignation  became  a  duty  to  my  family,  those  and 
those  only  who  have  a  higher  claim  upon  me  than  the  claim  of  my  countrymen 
to  serve  in  public  office.  I  feel  the  less  regret,  because  from  the  Senate  I  go 
with  the  public  service  in  a  different  capacity  more  congenial  to  my  feelings 
and  habits,  and  one  in  which  I  trust  I  may  be  able  to  serve  my  Country  not 
less  useful  [ly],  though  in  a  more  retired  and  quiet  sphere.  [It]  is  also  with 
less  reluctance  because  I  am  confident  that  in  the  Executive  of  our  State,  we 
have  the  assurance  of  an  appointment  of  such  a  successor  to  me  as  will  faith- 
fully reflect  your  wishes  and  maintain  the  high  character  of  North  Carolina 
in  the  Councils  of  the  Confederacy — a  character  although  not  pressed  upon 
public  attention  with  arrogance  is  sustained  with  inflexible  fidelity:  and  as  I 
have  reason  to  know  is  properly  and  highly  appreciated  by  the  wise,  con- 
siderate and  patriotic.  Whatever  errors  I  may  have  committed  as  your 
Representative,  I  entertain  an  abiding  conviction  that  no  tarnish  has  attached 
to  the  fair  fame  of  our  venerated  commonwealth:  and  in  this  I  have  a 
becoming  pride. 

Suffer  me  in  conclusion  to  repeat  my  profound  acknowledgements  and 
gratitude  for  the  distinguished  honor  you  have  conferred  upon  me;  and  upon 
my  retirement  to  impress  upon  all  my  country  men  the  importance  of  sus- 
taining in  all  our  public  measures  and  public  men  and  in  all  our  intercourse 
as  Citizens  of  this  great  Union  of  States,  the  well  earned  and  cherished  repu- 
tation of  North  Carolina  as  the  "honest  old  North  State,"  although  we  may 
occasionally,  in  this  degenerate  day,  for  such  an  ambition,  incur  the  sneers 
of  witlings  and  spendthrifts.  Asa  Biggs. 

Washington,  May  4,  1858. 


22Copied  in  the  Scrap-Book  in  Judge  Biggs'  handwriting. 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  4.1 

JOURNAL  OF  A  TRIP 

FROM  WILLIAMSTON  TO  NEW  YORK  AND 

BACK  IN  1832 


Williamston,  April  18,  1832. 

Left  Williamston  about  9  o'clock  went  to  Powells  to  dinner  where 
there  was  cackling  and  crowing  in  the  extreme  and  among  the  crowd 
some  young  men  who  revel  in  dissipation  and  whose  heedlessness  is  a 
good  lesson  to  those  who  indulge  in  vice.  Arrived  at  Nickoles  where  we 
staid  all  night.  Here  I  met  with  Mr.  Simmons  Sheriff  of  Halifax  whom 
I  found  to  be  a  very  pleasant  and  agreeable  man. 

[April  19th].  Left  Scotland  Neck  19th — four  passenger — arrived  at 
Winton  about  dark — to  this  place  had  a  fine  coach  and  good  horses. 

[April  20th].  Left  Winton  20th  about  four  o'clock  with  eight  pas- 
sengers and  after  jolting  and  considerable  fatigue  got  to  Norfolk  %  after 
three — crossed  the  river  in  a  steam  boat  which  plies  continually.  Ports- 
mouth, we  passed  so  soon  that  I  cannot  tell  much  about  it.  Norfolk  has 
the  appearance  of  considerable  business — many  of  the  streets  are  very 
dirty.  Should'ent  suppose  the  corporation  are  very  vigilant.  We  trav- 
elled in  the  stage  with  Genl.  Blount  of  Nashville,  N.  C.  whom  I  found  to 
be  a  very  pleasant  man.  We  had  also  two  Methodist  preachers.  They  had 
not  much  peace  and  although  they  assumed  a  very  grave  appearance 
and  occasionally  groaned  yet  that  had  but  little  effect  in  checking  the 
glee.  We  took  in  on  the  road  a  Mr.  Craig,  from  Tallahasse,  who  is  now 
with  me  at  the  Steam  Boat  Hotel  and  I  think  a  fine  young  man.  Mr. 
Shaw,  Genl.  Blount  and  the  preachers  left  this  evening  for  Baltimore 
in  the  Columbus.     She  is  an  elegant  Boat. 

[April]  21st.  After  enjoying  a  good  nights  rest,  with  the  exception  of 
being  once  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of  the  Steam  Boat,  Mr.  Craig  and 
myself  went  over  to  Portsmouth  and  from  there  to  the  Navy  Yard.  Here 
we  spent  our  time  very  interesting [ly].  We  first  visited  the  ship  now 
building  called  New  York,  she  is  a  74 :  all  enclosed  in  an  excellent  house 
— great  many  mechanics  industriously  engaged  in  building  her — we  went 
to  the  top  deck — she  has  three  decks — she  is  constructed  of  live  oak  tim- 
ber almost  entirely — she  is  a  huge  machine,  we  next  visited  the  Delaware 
now  lying  at  the  wharf  repairing — on  board  her  I  met  with  Dr.  Baker, 
who  accompanied  us  during  the  balance  of  our  visit — here  I  could  dis- 
cover more  about  the  management  and  apparatus  of  a  ship.  We  next 
directed  our  steps  to  the  Dry  Dock  and  in  going  there  we  passed  a  great 


42  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

many  shops  and  the  commanding  officer  Comr.  Warrington  residence — 
which  is  tastefully  arranged.  The  ship  North  Carolina  is  lying  out  in 
the  stream  all  covered.  The  old  ships  Guirrere  [sic]  and  Macedonia  are 
also  lying  out  in  the  stream.  We  arrived  at  the  Dry  Dock  after  passing 
several  stoers  [sic]  houses  and  stones  yards.  Here  I  cannot  attempt 
a  discription  of  the  importance  and  magnificence  of  this  work.  Suffice 
it  to  say  it  is  constructed  of  solid  stone  in  a  cavity  near,  hy  throwing 
out  the  dirt  for  at  least  25  feet  helow  the  surface  of  the  water,  and 
sufficiently  long  for  a  74  gun  ship  to  lie  in.  It  is  made  in  the  form  of 
a  ship.  The  bottom  is  well  secured  by  spiling  and  then  solid  rock  for 
about  six  feet  deep.  It  is  to  be  construed  [constructed]  with  gates  so 
as  to  send  a  ship  in  by  hoisting.  There  are  now  a  great  many  hands 
engaged  in  building  it,  and  it  will  take  them  twelve  months  longer  to 
complete  it.  It  is  a  grand  work  and  bleeds  Uncle  Sam's  pocket  to  excess 
I  should  suppose.  Adjacent  to  it  they  are  building  a  house  and  well 
which  is  to  be  used  by  steam  engine  to  draw  off  the  water  from  the  dock, 
and  when  necessary  to  flood  it  again  so  as  to  float  the  ship.  We  re- 
turned and  examined  the  arms.  Shot  and  Balls  in  abundance  may  be 
found  there  and  cannons  numerous.  Passing  to  and  fro  the  Sentry 
may  be  seen,  and  occasionally  a  midshipman  or  L[i]eutenant  as  stiff  as  a 
poker  and  as  proud  as  my  Aung  Peg.  Upon  the  whole  my  visit  there 
was  very  interesting  and  I  derived  some  idea  how  the  money  was  ex- 
pended in  the  Navy  Department.  We  crossed  the  river  in  a  small 
Steam-Boat  for  which  you  have  to  pay  6%  cts  and  it  is  very  accommo- 
dating to  the  public  as  well  as  profitable  to  the  owners.  The  Capt  told 
me  that  he  generally  crossed  100  times  in  the  day,  and  not  less  on  an 
average,  I  suppose,  cross  than  6  or  8  persons.  She  crosses  in  four  or 
five  minutes.  Portsmouth  is  a  very  pretty  little  place,  but  the  corpora- 
tion are  kindred  spirits  with  those  of  Norfolk. 

They  neglect  their  streets  and  you  find  them  dirty  and  disagreeable. 
It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  if  malignant  fevers  are  common  and  fatal  in 
Portsmouth,  and  more  especially  in  Norfolk. 

The  Marine  Hospital,  which  you  see  at  a  distance  from  Norfolk  is  a 
commanding  Spectacle.  It  appe[a]rs  to  be  a  splendid  establishment. 
This  morning  I  went  on  board  the  Potomac  and  Pocahontas.  The  Poca- 
hontas is  a  most  splendid  Boat. 

[April]  22st  [nd].  Left  Norfolk  this  morning  9  oclock  in  the  Fred- 
ericksburg, run  18  miles  in  an  hour  and  half;  passing  got  a  view  of  the 
Rip-Raps  and  Old  Point  Comfort.  The  Pip-Raps  is  an  important  work 
— with  the  aid  of  a  Spye-glass  I  could  ascertain  how  it  was  built.  It  is 
a  solid  bed  of  stone  in  18  ft  water,  about  5  acres.  There  are  3  or  4  houses 
on  it,  and  a  wharf  projects  from  it.    It  is  truly  a  great  work,  and  as  is 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  43 

the  necessary  consequence  must  have  cost  an  immense  quantity  of  money. 
But  they  appeared  inconsiderable,  when  compared  with  the  battery 
and  apparatus  on  Old  Point.  Here  you  see  port-holes  in  every  direc- 
tion, and  flags  flying.  I  was  informed  that  100  guns  could  be  made  to 
bear  on  the  size  of  a  Hhd-head.  It  is  a  magnificent  spectacle.  Any 
attempt  to  pass  up  the  river  by  an  enemy  would  meet  with  warm  work, 
too  warm  for  comfort.  I  think  it  would  be  utterly  impossible  for  an 
enemy  to  pass  up  between  the  Battery  and  the  Rip-Raps. 

[April]  23th  [nd].  This  morning  about  7  oclock  we  passed  Mt.  Ver- 
non. Instinctively  I  became  melancholy  and  the  reflection  that  there  lies 
the  great  and  good  man,  our  Country's  Benefactor,  struck  me  with  awe. 
The  Situation  of  my  country  in  '76,  the  abject  slavery  to  which  we  were 
reduced,  the  fearless  and  intrepid  Spirits  that  dared"  to  stand  up  and  de- 
fend our  rights,  the  melancholy  spectacle  which  we  presented  during  the 
great  struggle  for  liberty,  the  grand  instrument  with  all  his  virtues  shin- 
ing that  effected  so  much ;  who  by  his  address  could  check  those  disposed 
to  murmur — establish  the  wavering,  and  inspire  the  whole  with  that  love 
of  liberty  and  equal  rights  that  can  effect  almost  impossibilities,  the 
important  advantage  we  derived  from  his  firmness  and  wisdom  in  estab- 
lishing our  republic,  all  passed  in  review  before  my  imagination,  and 
could  not  fail  to  produce  sensations  uncommon.  A  profound  reverence 
for  the  tomb  of  Washington,  and  an  earnest  desire  that  the  same  princi- 
ples which  he  taught  may  continue  to  be  inculcated  and  which  are  alone 
calculated  to  perpetuate  this  fair  fabric.  Mount  Vernon  is  a  beautiful 
situation.  It  possesses  a  commanding  view  of  the  Potomac.  On  the 
opposite  point  of  land,  Fort  Washington  is  erected.  It  would  be  very 
difficult  for  an  enemy  to  pass  this  place.  Arrived  at  Washington  9 
oclock  took  lodgings  at  Gadsbys.  Here  I  met  with  Mr.  T.  Jones  and 
Mr.  Parker  from  Tarboro,  visited  the  Capitol  [as]  soon  [as]  I  arrived 
with  Jones.  The  Capitol  is  so  magnificent  that  I  cannot  attempt  a 
description  and  therefore  decline  it.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  Rotunda 
is  ornamented  with  four  paintings  by  Trumbull,  most  superb  and  to 
the  life.  About  11  oclock  the  two  Houses  met  went  H.  R.  first,  where 
I  heard  but  little,  petitions  first  presented,  and  then  they  took  up  the 
trial  of  Houston.23  This  was  so  insiped  that  we  left  and  went  to  the 
Senate.  Here  we  heard  a  very  interesting  debate,  on  the  appropriation 
for  Minister  to  France.  Several  members  were  designated  to  me.  The 
appropriation  was  lost  by  a  majority  of  two.     Returned  to  the  Repre- 

_28The  trial  of  Sam  Houston.  Houston  had  visited  Washington  in  the  interest  of  the  Cherokee  In- 
dians. While  he  was  there  William  Stanberry,  a  member  of  Congress  from  Ohio,  charged  him  with 
attempting  to  obtain  a  fradulent  contract  for  furnishing  supplies  to  the  Indians.  Houston,  in  retali- 
ation, attacked  Stanberry  and  beat  him  severely.  He  was  tried  and  reprimanded  at  the  bar  of  the 
House,  and  fined  $500,  but  President  Jackson  remitted  the  fine. 


44  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

sentative  Hall,  which  adjourned  in  a  few  minutes,  after  having  been 
engaged  in  the  hearing  of  Houston's  case.  At  night  went  to  the  Theatre, 
where  I  was  considerably  diverted.  The  celebrated  Clara  Fisher  ap- 
peared.    She  is  a  beautiful  girl,  and  performs  admirably. 

[April]  24th.  Walked  up  and  examined  the  Presidents  Palace  and 
Secretaries  offices.  These  are  elegant.  They  are  situated  about  1%  mile 
from  the  Capitol  at  the  other  end  of  Penn'  Avenue.  Returned  to  the 
Capitol  and  in  a  short  time  both  houses  met.  Went  to  the  Senate  Cham- 
ber, where  I  had  Judge  Mangum24  called  out,  and  after  delivering  my 
letter  he  appeared  very  glad  to  see  me,  invited  us  in  the  Chamber,  where 
we  remained  for  some  time,  during  which  time  we  heard  a  discussion  on 
a  question  for  reconsideration  of  the  appropriation  vote.  Went  to  the 
H.  Pi.  and  delivered  my  letter  to  Mr.  Carson.25  He  is  a  very  clever 
man  and  although  according  to  the  rules  of  the  House  we  could  not  go 
into  the  Hall,  he  prof  erred  to  do  anything  for  us  to  render  us  agreeable. 
The  H.  P.  has  been  engaged  all  day  in  examining  testimony  on  Houston's 
case.  This  I  consider  a  complete  farce.  A  useless  expenditure  of  time 
and  money,  perhaps  will  cost  the  U.  S.  $100,000,  and  take  up  3  or  4 
weeks,  and  all  for  a  petty  assault  and  battery.  It  seems  to  me  that  our 
representatives  are  prostituting  the  powers  vested  in  them.  Mr. 
Branch26  and  Mr.  Brown27  are  absent.  After  the  adjournment  of  the 
Houses,  went  up  to  the  top  of  the  Rotunda  although  not  without  being 
much  fatigued.  Here  we  had  a  view  of  all  the  City  and  the  surrounding 
country.  It  is  180  feet  above  the  foundation  of  the  building  and  215 
feet  above  the  level  of  Penn  Avenue. 

Washington  is  a  pretty  place  and  kept  very  clean,  go  what  direction 
you  choose,  and  you  have  elegant  walks. 

[April]  25th.  Visited  Judge  Mangum,  who  being  engaged  could  not 
accompany  us  to  the  Presidents.  Heard  him  converse  about  the  impor- 
tant question  of  the  decision  [sic]  of  the  Supreme  Court.  Visited  the 
Senate,  where  I  heard  a  discussion  on  the  apportionment  both  by  Mr. 
Webster,  Dallas,  Clayton,  Moore  and  H[a]yne.28  Clayton  is  a  very 
good  speaker,  pleasant  in  his  manner.  The  H.  R.  were  engaged  in  the 
examination  of  Houston's  case.  This  frets  me,  whenever  I  go  into  the 
Hall  and  therefore  stay  but  a  very  short  time. 

[April]  26th.  Mr.  Mangum  called  on  us  and  accompanied  us  to  the 
President's.     We  were  soon  shown  into  his  room  and  after  introduction 


"Willie  P.  Magnum. 

26Samuel  P.  Carson,  of  Pleasant  Garden,  N.  C,  member  of  Congress,  1825-1833. 
26John  Branch,  formerly  Secretary  of  the  Navy;  then  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 
2 'Bedford  Brown,  senior  Senator  from  North  Carolina. 

28George  M.  Dallas,  of  Pennsylvania;  John  M.  Clayton,  of  Delaware;  Gabriel  Moore,  of  Alabama; 
Robert  Y.  Hayne,  of  South  Carolina. 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  45 

[he]  appeared  very  familiar,  open  and  frank,  conversed  without  reserve, 
his  countenance  displays  good-feeling,  he  is  now  very  busily  engaged.  We 
only  remained  with  him  a  few  minutes.  Went  to  the  Capitol  visited  the 
Library  which  is  a  very  pleasant  apartment,  here  I  was  introduced  to 
Mr.  Sheppard  of  W.  C.29  I  was  also  introduced  to  Maj.  Donaldson.30 
Visited  the  H.  R.  there  heard  the  defence  of  Houston's  Counsel,  Mr. 
Key,31  until  the  adjournment  of  the  House.  The  Senate  sat  today  with 
closed  doors.  There  were  a  great  many  persons  in  the  Representative 
Hall,  and  gallery.     Mr.  Key  made  a  very  able  argument. 

[April]  27th.  Visited  the  H.  R.  with  an  expectation  of  hearing  Mr. 
Key  close  his  argument,  but  soon  after  I  went  in  they  voted  to  take  the 
yeas  and  nays  on  a  question  of  small  importance  and  hearing  that  Mr. 
Key  was  prevented  from  closing  his  argument  by  indisposition,  I  left  the 
Hall  and  went  to  the  Senate  Chamber.  When  I  went  in  Mr.  [Isaac]  Hill 
from  N".  H.  was  reading  a  speech  which  was  dry  and  insipid.  This  is  the 
second  time  he  has  spoken,  or  read  if  you  please,  and  there  is  no  interest 
about  him,  he  was  succeeded  by  several  Senators  and  last  by  Mr.  Hayne 
who  spoke  about  an  hour  and  half,  and  the  House  adjourned  before  he 
concluded  his  speech.  It  was  on  the  General  Pension  Bill.  He  was 
opposed  to  it.  Among  other  of  his  arguments  he  said  that  every  proj- 
ect was  afloat  now  to  draw  money  from  the  Treasury.  He  quoted 
several  cases  proposed  by  Senators  which  he  considered  entirely  foreign 
from  the  object  of  their  Legislation  and  dealt  quite  harshly  with  those 
whose  only  object  it  seemed  to  be,  to  draw  money  from  the  Treasury  and 
devise  projects  to  expend  money  so  as  to  seem  to  have  an  excuse  for 
levying  taxes.  General  Hayne  is  a  handsome  speaker  and  becomes 
more  and  more  interesting  as  he  proceeds. 

The  Senate  adjourned  until  Monday  next.  I  believe  I  shall  remain 
here  until  Tuesday  to  hear  him  conclude  his  speech.  I  had  some  con- 
versation to  day  with  Judge  Mangum  relative  to  the  Vice  Presidency. 
He  says,  he  is  entirely  uncommitted  on  the  question.  That  he  shall 
be  governed  by  the  course  pursued  by  the  friends  of  Mr.  V.  B.32  in 
Congress  in  assisting  to  adjust  the  Tariff.  If  that  is  adjusted  satisfac- 
torily this  session,  he  is  willing  to  go  with  his  friends  if  the  Choice  of 
V.  B.  be  it,  but  that  if  it  is  not  settled,  and  Mr.  V.  B.'s  friends  here  co- 
operate with  Clay  in  preventing  a  settlement,  that  he  shall  proclaim  to 
his  friends  and  to  the  State  that  he  will  not  support  Van  Buren,  and 
that  it  is  inconsistent  with  their  interest  to  do  so ;  and  depend  upon  public 
sentiment  for  support;  that  he  cannot  consent  to  vote  for  a  man,  no 

2 'William  B.  Sheppard,  of  Elizabeth  City,  member  of  Congress. 
s  "Probably  Andrew  J.  Donelson,  the  President's  Private  Secretary. 
3 'Francis  Scott  Key,  author  of  "The  Star  Spangled  Banner." 
82Martin  Van  Buren. 


46  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

matter  who  lie  may  be,  who,  with  his  friends,  will  not  assist  in  moderat- 
ing this  onerous  system,  but  who  will  join  sides  with  our  oppressors.  I 
coincide  decidedly  with  Mr.  Mangum,  as  I  have  always  expressed  myself 
on  this  subject;  not  that  I  would  prefer  V.  B.  to  any  man,  but  that  I 
conceived  him  the  only  man  on  whom  the  party  would  concentrate 
generally,  but  that  I  will  not — I  can  not  vote  for  him,  if  he  and  his 
friends  adhere  to  the  policy  of  the  American  System  and  coincide  with 
those  who  are  attempting  to  fix  upon  us  a  system  that  will  ultimately 
ruin  us. 

[April]  28th.  I  visited  the  parade  ground— here  were  assembled  four 
uniform  companies,  three  of  which  joined  and  formed  a  batallion — the 
display  was  quite  interesting  and  the  music  animating.  I  marched  with 
them  about  a  mile  when  they  were  drawn  up  before  a  house  and  one  of  the 
companies  was  presented  with  an  elegant  stand  of  colors  by  a  young  lady. 
She  made  some  remarks  in  presenting,  which  were  answered,  but  as  the 
crowd  was  so  thick  I  could  not  hear  them.  I  then  visited  the  House 
of  Representatives.  When  I  went  in  Mr.  Adams33  was  speaking  on  the 
appropriation  for  a  minister  to  France.  He  was  against  the  conclusion 
of  the  Senate  and  for  the  appropriation.  His  remarks  were  very 
interesting.  On  the  vote  being  taken  they  disagreed  with  the  Senate 
by  a  majority  of  30 — -shortly  after  the  house  adjourned. 

[April]  29th.  Sunday.  This  day  I  passed  heavily — did  not  even  go 
to  church — I  walked  considerable  but  upon  the  whole  I  spent  this  day  as 
dull  as  a  Sunday  in  Williamston  which  bye  the  bye  is  not  very  lively. 

[April]  30th.  Took  a  general  walk  through  the  Capitol  into  all  the 
apartments — concluded  my  walk  at  the  Senate  Chamber,  here  I  met  with 
Judge  Mangum  who  was  wo  fully  chagrined  with  the  Tariff  report  from 
the  Treasury  Department — he  conceives  it  will  be  detrimental  to  the 
Southern  interest — he  thinks  the  prospect  for  an  equitable  adjustment 
more  gloomy  now  than  at  any  time  during  this  session.  We  are  subject  to 
Colonial  vassalage,  says  he,  more  intolerable  than  the  causes  that  led 
to  our  Revolution  and  that  the  South  must  be  unanimous  and  manifest 
a  determined  resistance  by  protesting  most  solemnly  against  the  system 
before  we  shall  be  able  to  rectify  the  abuses.  Judge  Mangum  is  a 
genuine  Southerner — possessed  of  warm  feelings  for  their  interest,  and 
repudiates  the  principles  of  our  oppressors;  he  does  not  hesitate  to  call 
things  by  their  right  names  and  dauntlessly  contemns  those  who  sacri- 
fices principles  for  men  or  office  on  the  hope  of  office.  I  remained  in 
the  Senate  Chamber  for  an  hour  or  more  when  the  House  went  into 
Executive  Session  with  closed  doors   and  so   remained  until  adjourn- 

3  'John  Quincy  Adams. 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  47 

ment.  I  consequently  was  disappointed  in  not  hearing  Mr.  Hayne 
conclude  his  speech  on  the  Pension  Bill.  I  however  spent  my  time 
agreeably,  for  soon  after  I  went  to  the  Hall  H.  K.  Mr.  Clayton  sub- 
mitted the  long  looked  for  report  on  the  Bank  question — before  how- 
ever the  report  was  read  Mr.  McDuffie34  rose  and  in  a  speech  stated  his 
objections  to  the  prominent  features  of  the  report  which  was  dictated  by 
the  Majority — he  was  followed  by  Mr.  Clayton,  Mr.  Conbreling  [sic]35 
and  Mr.  Adams  and  some  others  and  the  report  was  not  read  before  the 
House  adjourned.  I  presume,  though  the  substance  of  it  was,  after  an 
examination  of  the  evidence  advising  the  House  not  to  recharter  the 
Bank.  Mr.  Clayton  is  a  bold,  animated  and  intrepid  speaker.  I  am 
disappointed  somewhat  in  Mr.  McDuffie — when  he  rises  he  appears 
considerable  embarrassed  and  by  no  means  is  an  agreeable  speaker,  I 
suppose  his  talent  is  more  in  writing  than  speaking.  Great  respect 
though  is  paid  to  him  especially  on  this  question,  silence  prevailed,  as 
the  discussion  has  been  anxiously  looked  for  for  some  days  past  Mr. 
Conbreling  [sic]  is  quite  a  pleasant  speaker.  He  s[p]eaks  without 
embarrassment.  Mr.  Adams  is  quite  a  conspicuous  member,  and  speaks 
on  all  important  questions.  His  delivery  is  not  very  good,  his  voice 
weak.  On  Saturday  he  split  off  from  the  Opposition  party  and  a[r]gued 
most  strenuously  for  the  Appropriation  for  an  out  fit  of  a  minister  to 
France.     He  succeeded  in  the  measure. 

May  1st.  This  morning  left  Washington  and  dined  at  Baltimore.  I 
was  considerably  disappointed  in  the  country  between  Washington  and 
Baltimore — for  many  miles  the  country  is  much  broken,  land  poor  and 
miserable  buildings — small  huts  with  thatched  roofs — you  have  taverns 
in  abundance — some  look  more  like  a  pigstys  than  the  mansion  of  a 
human  being.  I  passed  the  battle  ground  which  has  nothing  to  dis- 
tinguish it  and  which  I  should  not  have  known  but  for  information  I 
derived  from  one  of  the  passengers.  I  was  though  interested  by  a  herd 
of  deer  40  in  number  among  which  there  were  many  young  ones  which 
I  saw  grazing  in  a  pasture  adjacent  to  the  Road.  The  country  is 
covered  with  oak  and  as  you  approach  Baltimore  some  pleasant  hills 
may  be  seen  shaded  by  them.  We  crossed  the  Rail  Road  twice — once 
about  40  feet  above  it.  I  stopped  at  the  Indian  Queen  Hotel  and  the 
street  adjacent  presents  a  very  bustling  aspect.  I  have  travelled  over 
Baltimore  somewhat  this  evening.  There  is  considerable  business  doing 
ap[p]arently  and  in  some  parts  the  streets  are  quite  pleasant  but  the  re- 
verse is  the  case  in  other[s],  particularly  those  when  there  is  much  busi- 
ness— they  are  kept  dirty.  I  have  seen  some  elegant  draft  horses  here 
and  some  handsome  harness  horses. 


,4George  McDuffie,  of  South  Carolina. 

"Churchill  C.  Cambreleng,  of  New  York.     He  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina. 


48  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

May  2nd.  Went  on  board  the  steam  boat  Carroll  at  6  oclock  A.  M.  ]STo 
person  on  board  that  I  know.  The  scenery  on  the  river  not  very  interest- 
ing. Baltimore  harbor  is  much  smaller  than  I  expected.  The  scenery  on 
Elk  river  is  quite  interesting.  I  forgot  to  make  some  remarks  about  the 
girls  in  Washington  and  Baltimore.  At  Washington  the  streets  were 
crowded  with  the  exquisitely  fashionable — they  occupied  conspicuous 
places  in  both  Halls.  I  did  not  see  but  few  that  were  pretty — those  who 
attempted  to  be  conspicuous  for  fashion  were  generally  ugly.  They  are 
remarkable  anxious  to  marry  I  understand  and  tax  their  ingenuity  to 
entrap  some  of  the  big  folks — this  disposition  I  think  was  manifested 
by  one  towards  me  thinking  I  expect  from  my  appearance  I  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress,  Governor  of  a  state  or  Attorney  General.  She  ogled 
me  to  excess  and  to  prevent  her  having  the  advantage  of  me  I  ogled 
her  back  again ;  she  was  quite  a  pretty  girl !  but  enough  of  the  ladies  of 
Washington.  The  street  on  which  I  stopped  in  Baltimore  was  consider- 
ably thronged  through  the  evening  with  ladies  prominading,  [sic]  some 
few  might  be  called  pretty,  some  dressed  excessively  fine  and  some  of 

them  were  extravantly  ugly.     Traveled  from to  ISTew  Castle 

on  the  Rail  Road,  16  miles  in  an  hour  and  40  minutes,  took  the  steam 
boat  Robt  Morris  for  Philadelphia.  The  country  is  level  on  the  Rail 
Road  generally — quite  poor  for  a  few  miles  [from]  town  but  improve 
as  you  approach  ISTew  Castle.  Riding  on  the  Rail  Road  is  very  pleasant, 
there  was  17  persons  in  my  car,  we  met  several  cars  loaded  with  mer- 
chandise and  it  appears  that  a  whole  store  was  packed  on  them — they 

carry  vast  loads,  the  Horse  that  drawed  [sic]  our  car  after 

did  not  labour  apparently  in  the  least  with  the  load.  On  board  the 
Boat  we  had  first  rate  eating  and  it  was  so  much  better  than  other 
places  that  I  cannot  omit  noting  it.  I  got  the  worth  of  my  50c  here 
if  I  ever  got  it  in  eating  a  dinner.  The  banks  of  the  Deleware  [sic]  pre- 
sents a  delightful  scenery  interspersed  with  houses  and  green  valleys  and 
occasionally  a  little  village.  I  was  much  more  pleased  with  the  aspect 
of  this  country  than  any  I  had  passed.  I  arrived  at  Philadelphia  about 
4  oclock.  I  have  walked  over  the  city  considerable.  It  is  handsomely 
arranged  and  some  beautiful  streets  particularly  Chestnut.  That  street 
presents  quite  a  gay  appearance — fashion  may  be  seen  sporting  along 
through  it  and  with  it  some  very  pretty  girls.  I  am  much  pleased  with 
this  place.     I  have  stop  Hushills  and 

May  3rd.  Left  Philadelphia  in  the  Trenton  at  6  oclock,  stopped  a  few 
minutes  [at]  Burlington  and  Bristol.  The  scenery  on  the  river  still 
continuous  beautiful  with  pleasant  situations.  Burlington  has  some  very 
pretty  dwellings  on  the  river.  Bristol  is  a  considerable  place  much 
larger  than  I  expected  to  see,  we  arrived  at  Trenton  where  we  took  the 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  49 

stage.  The  road  for  many  miles  was  good  but  as  we  approached  the 
rocks  became  worse  and  for  the  last  part  of  the  25  miles  was  quite 
rough.  On  the  south  I  passed  large  quantities  of  stone  many  places 
almost  complet[e]ly  covered  some  large  some  small  and  all  the  family  of 
stones.  We  arrived  at  New  Brunswick  %  after  1  and  took  the  Boat 
Swan.  JSTew  Brunswick  is  a  much  larger  place  than  I  expected  to  see. 
The  country  between  Trenton  and  New  Brunswick  is  very  pretty. 
Princeton  through  which  I  passed  is  a  delightful  place.  The  Baritan 
is  narrow  and  crooked  for  several  miles  from  !N\  Brunswick  but  widens 
as  you  proceed — some  pretty  sites  on  it.  I  arrived  at  !STew  York  about 
6  oclock,  put  up  at  IT.  S.  Hotel  where  I  found  Mr.  Bagley  and  Wm. 
Biggs. 

May  4th.  I  have  travelled  about  considerable  thro'  the  city — went  with 
J.  B.  Townsend  to  the  City  Hotel,  Exchange,  II.  S.  Bank,  Custom  House 
and  to  complete  the  variety,  visited  Gr.  Thorburn  seed  store,  here  I  was 
much  pleased — attached  to  the  establishment  is  a  fish  pond  and  aviary, 
the  flowers  in  many  directions  in  full  bloom  and  all  presenting  an  inter- 
esting and  cheering  aspect.  I  have  also  visited  several  merchants  to 
whom  I  have  been  introduced  but  the  most  appalling  part  of  my  ex- 
cursions to  day  is  yet  to  be  told — while  walking  up  Pearl  Street  my  at- 
tention was  directed  to  a  crowd  running  up  to  Cliff  and  thinking  there 
was  a  fire  in  that  direction  I  also  hastened  there  but  when  I  arrived  it 
turned  out  to  be  a  splendid  ware  house  6  stories  high  just  tumbled  to 
the  ground  burying  in  its  ruins  many  persons — number  unknown  sup- 
posed to  be  10  or  15.  It  was  an  awful  sight — in  a  short  time  the  bells 
commenced  ringing  and  the  people  collecting  and  in  a  few  minutes  a 
vast  concourse  of  persons  were  crowding  towards  the  place.  The  citi- 
zens fell  to  work  immediately  in  pulling  down  the  beams  and  Cotton 
Bales  to  extricate  those  underneath  them — while  I  remained  there  two 
negroes  were  taken  out — one  not  much,  the  other  very  much  injured. 
I  understand  there  are  three  clerks  missing  one  of  whom  the  firm 
(Phelps  and  Peck)  had  great  confidence  in  and  to  whom  they  were  very 
much  attached.  He  was  to  be  married  in  a  few  day  to  Mr.  Phelps 
daughter.  0  how  inconstant  and  uncertain  are  all  things  here — by 
a  sudden  convulsion  the  fondest  hopes  may  be  blasted  and  our  future 
lives  rendered  miserable  and  irksome.  A  survey  of  the  vast  ruins — the 
reflection  on  the  situation  and  feelings  of  the  unfortunate  sufferers  and 
above  all  the  premature  death  of  the  young  man  who  was  to  be  married, 
the  agonizing  feelings  of  his  intended  bride  could  not  fail  to  render  me 
u[n]  happy — my  feeling  and  my  sympathy  are  very  much  aroused,  and 
I  go  to  bed  under  a  strong  excitement  leaving  an  immense  quantity  of 


50  Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs 

people  surrounding  the  place  and  the  firemen  busily  engaged  in  remov- 
ing the  rubbish. 

May  5th.  This  morning  I  hear  that  five  persons  have  been  taken  out,  4 
alive  some  severely  injured  and  one  dead,  three  or  four  are  now  in  sight 
but  cant  be  got  out.  I  went  to  see  the  ruins  this  morning  but  vast  crowds 
of  people  still  are  in  the  adjoining  streets,  they  are  yet  ingaged  in 
removing  the  rubbish,  immense  quantities  of  produce  were  stored  which 
is  scattered  in  every  direction  consequently  there  will  be  a  great  loss  of 
property.  This  day  I  have  travelled  about  a  great  deal,  visited  the  ruins 
once  or  twice  more,  it  is  now  enclosed  and  police  guarding  it — by  a 
notice  in  an  office  I  understand  there  have  been  14  persons  taken  out, 
10  of  whom  were  dead.  While  I  was  standing  surveying  this  scene  the 
alarm  of  fire  was  [sounded]  which  I  followed  up  Broadway  but  it  ended 
in  smoke  as  I  met  an  engine  returning.  By  the  bye,  it  must  be  very 
perplexing  and  outrageous  unpleasant  for  the  firemen  to  be  called  a 
mile  or  two  from  home,  fatigue  themselves  almost  to  death  on  a  false 
alarm. 

May  6th.  This  morning  with  Mr.  Bagley,  Mr.  Shaw  and  William  vis- 
ited Hoboken  which  is  a  very  pleasant  place,  we  enjoyed  ourselves  very 
well  in  drinking  mead  and  eating  cake  and  riding  on  the  railroad  which 
is  propelled  by  your  own  hands.  After  dinner  went  to  church  where  I 
spent  my  time  very  agreeable.  At  night  took  a  long  stroll  up  Broadway 
returned  and  went  to  bed. 

May  7th.  Visited  the  City  Hall  and  got  admission  in  to  the  Governor's 
Room  which  was  very  interesting  in  examining  the  paintings  that  adorn 
the  room ;  visited  the  Common  Council  in  which  I  saw  the  banner  that 
was  displayed  in  the  inauguration  of  Genl  Washington  and  also  the  large 
chair  in  which  he  sat  when  it  was  performed. 

There  are  several  relics  of  antiquity  and  in  surveying  this  old  arm 
chair  I  involuntarily  seated  myself  therein — Why?  Because  the  re- 
flection was  pleasant,  that  I  had  been  seated  in  the  same  chair  which 
our  venerable  benefactor  had  graced — upon  the  whole  my  visit  here 
was  quite  interesting.  I  spent  the  balance  of  the  day  in  walking  the 
streets  of  the  city  and  at  night  went  to  the  Park  Theatre,  here  I  was 
considera[b]ly  amused  by  the  opera  of  Cinderella.  They  displayed 
some  splendid  scenery  and  the  last  a  view  of  Mount  Vesuvius  was  grand. 
There  was  a  crowded  house  being  the  benefit  of  Miss  Hughes  a  popular 
actress. 

[May]  8th.  This  day  I  have  spent  in  walking  about  town  and  riding. 
I  went  up  to  Greenwich — here  are  some  pretty  dwellings  and  not  so  much 
crowded  but  it  was  with  difficulty  I  could  keep  my  eyes,  for  it  was  quite 


Autobiography  of  Asa  Biggs  51 

windy  and  clouds  of  dust  flying  in  every  direction.  I  staid  there  but  a 
short  time  and  hurried  home  with  my  eyes  filled  with  dirt — had  a  very 
agreeable  evening  with  J.  and  W.  [  ?]  Townsend. 

[May]  9th.  Left  New  York  with  Mr.  Bagley  and  William  in  the  steam 
boat  Swan,  arrived  at  Philadelphia  %  after  6.  I  was  very  much  pleased 
with  the  scenery  this  day,  especially  the  land  carriage  from  New  Bruns- 
wick to  Trenton;  part  of  the  time  I  rode  on  the  outside  with  the  driver, 
which  gave  me  a  good  opportunity  of  surveying  the  country.  Prince- 
ton, and  the  adjacent  country,  is  a  lovely  place,  vegetation  has  put  forth 
considerable  since  I  passed  here  last  Thursday. 

[May]  10th.  Left  Philadelphia  this  morning  and  arrived  at  Baltimore 
about  4  oclock  in  the  evening.  Mr.  Shaw  was  here  passed  a  very  pleasant 
evening  in  promenading  the  streets,  here  I  met  again  with  Mr.  Craig — 
tonight  we  all  visited  the  theatre  and  heard  the  humurous  play  of  Col. 
Nimrod  Wildfire  by  Hacket.  I  was  very  much  amused  at  the  many 
quaint  expressions  used. 

[May]  11.  Left  this  morning  9  oclock  in  the  steam  boat  Columbus 
and  arrived  at  Norfolk  about  5  oclock  next  morning;  part  of  the  night 
the  sea  was  quite  heavy,  and  the  boat  cracked  enough  to  scare  rats. 

[May]  12.  At  Norfolk  we  took  the  stage  and  arrived  at  Edenton  about 
9  oclock  P.  M.  On  this  route  we  had  a  lively  party — spent  the  time  quite 
agreeable.  We  had  a  dusty  road  and  on  one  stage  a  deficiency  of  horses 
that  retarded  us  at  least  an  hour.  After  taking  supper  at  Hoskin's  we 
went  on  board  the  steam  boat  and  the  night  was  pleasant — the  moon 
shone  very  bright.  We  arrived  at  Jamestown  about  4  oclock  in  the 
morning — here  Mr.  Bagley  and  William  left  in  a  double  gig  for  Wil- 
liamston,  leaving  me  to  bring  up  the  baggage  and  take  passage  in  a 
canoe;  and  here  to  cap  the  climax  of  communications  and  vehicles  I 
was  wofully  chagrined,  for  I  found  a  strong  stream  to  contend  with, 
and  it  was  with  difficulty  we  could  stem  the  torrent ;  after  several  hours 
of  hard  struggling  we  landed  at  Williamston  very  much  gratified  to  be 
able  to  put  my  foot  on  land  and  stretch  my  legs;  found  all  my  friends 
well ;  and  thus  ends  the  narration  of  my  small  travel. 

Asa  Biggs. 


Finis. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00033932497 


WM 


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